Community Empowerment for Malaria Control and Prevention in Kampung Tong Nibong, Sarawak: an Intervention Study

Introduction : Tong Nibong is a Bidayuh village located at Sarawak Kalimantan border. Since the year 2004 to 2009, a total of 537 cases of malaria were recorded in Serian District of which 14 cases were reported from Kampung Tong Nibong. Community empowerment programme for malaria infection prevention showed tremendous improvement in implementation. The method has also consequently increased their knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) on malaria. Methods: An intervention study was conducted with pre and post data collection. Data was collected using validated questionnaire by face to face interview. Universal sampling method was used to select respondents and post data was collected after intervention activities were carried out. Results: The study showed significant difference in level of knowledge, attitude and practice between pre and post data. Data also showed significant difference on level of knowledge of respondents on vector of malaria between pre and post data with a P value < 0.01. There was significant difference between pre and post data on practices on control and prevention of malaria with a P value is < 0.01. The same goes to level of positive attitude of respondents towards malaria control. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study can be considered successful because there is significant difference in knowledge, attitude and practice among the respondents between pre and post data. This indicates that community empowerment (voluntary participation) measures can be implemented in high risk or endemic areas where malaria is a persistent problem to the community and health institutions faces many limiting factors. Keywords : Community Empowerment, bed net impregnation, residual spraying and personal protection equipment.