ASSESSING KNOWLEDGE OF MALARIA RAPID DIAGNOSTIC TEST KITS THROUGH PARTICIPATORY COMMUNICATION IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES OF NASARAWA STATE

In Nigeria, people die daily from malaria-related complications and nearly all the deaths, many of which could have been prevented, occur in low-resource settings. West Africa and Nigeria account for the highest mortality rates from malaria in the world.For an effective healthcare sector, the health workers are at the fore of health communication.This study, therefore, assesses knowledge of malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits using participatory communication in select rural communities of Nasarawa State. The study employs survey research design with questionnaire, focus group discussion and in-depth interviews as instruments for data collection. Findings show that malaria is not just a common health burden of many families in the study area but that the prevalence level is very high, particularly in the rural communities with at least 70 per cent of patients who report to health facilities testing positive to the disease. Further findings indicate that awareness of malaria RDT kits among people in the rural communities of Nasarawa State is very high. Findings also show that there is positive perception of malaria RDT kits among the study population; and that the kits have enhanced the rapid diagnosis and treatment of the ailment due to their simplicity. The study thus recommends, among other things, that there is a compelling need for heightened awareness creation among the rural populace using participatory communication strategies through opinion leaders, religious leaders, traditional and community leaders, as well as community-based organisations on the necessity of living in clean and sanitary environments. There is an urgent need for training and retraining of information officers and community healthcare workers to become more proficient in participatory communication strategies so as to enhance acceptance and uptake of health innovations. This study therefore, concludes that participatory communication was the key element in the knowledge and acceptance of RDT kits in the select rural communities of Nasarawa State.