A Description of Malaria–related Knowledge, Perceptions, Practices, and Treatment– Seeking Behaviors of Migrants Workers in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Abstract Background: Human movement along the Saudi/Yemen border is thought to play a strong role in malaria transmission in Saudi Arabia. Although mobile populations and migrant workers are a key population to containing malaria transmission on border areas, there is a limited representation of migrants in routine surveillance data. Understanding migrant’s malaria–related knowledge, risk perceptions, prevention protocols and treatment seeking behavior could increase the elimination programs success and increase access to healthcare and preventive measures. Methods: A survey of migrant workers in the rural agricultural area took place in Abu Arish region at the southern border of Saudi Arabia, using peer navigators a form of snowball sampling. A structured questionnaire was administered, and the data was captured electronically. STATA software version 16 was used to analyses the data. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was used to determine which factors are associated with correct malaria knowledge, health perception, the use of preventive measurement and malaria infection. A total of 227 participants were included in the study. Ordinal logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with correct malaria knowledge and health perceptions. Results: 79% of migrant workers have been residents for more than six months. They have 94% accuracy level of knowledge about malaria which is considered high (214/227 = 94.27%). Overall, 65.2% of the participants had a positive attitude toward malaria. Although only 19% of the participants had received health message or malaria information in the preceding six months. Bed net ownership was extremely low among participants 5%, Interestingly more than two–thirds of the participants reported never visiting a health facility if they had fever around 68%. Conclusion: Most of migrant’s agricultural border in Abu Arish do not receive health messages nor do they benefit from the available malaria prevention tools and service available in the area. Which puts them at greater risk of malaria infection.