PREVALENCE OF MALARIA, PEOPLE’S KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE ABOUT ITS PREVENTION AND UTILIZATION OF ITBN AMONG INHABITANTS IN MAHBERE DEGO TOWN, LAELAY MYCHEW WOREDA, CENTRAL ZONE OF TIGRAY REGION

Malaria is one of the major public health problems in many tropical developing countries including Ethiopia. Thus, comprehensive epidemiological information on transmission anddistribution of malaria in different localities is a key factor for the development of appropriate control strategies. The objective of this study was to assess the magnitude of malaria and utilization of ITBN in the rural community, inhabiting Mahbere Dego town,Laelay Mychew woreda, Centeral Zone of Tigray Regional State, Northern Ethiopia. A communitybased cross sectional study was carried out from February to March 2018. Random sampling technique was carried out to select representative study participants among the community members. Structured and pre tested questionnaires (n=403) and blood film examinations were used for data collection. All the data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. The overall malaria prevalence was 3.5%. This study showed thatthe prevalence of malaria was found to be higher among males thanfemales.The major Plasmodium species identified in this study was P. vivax (64.3%). Respondents that mentioned at least three symptoms of malaria constituted 84.0%. Over 50% of the respondents stated that they would not seek for malaria treatment within 24 hours. Of the total respondents 44.9% and 3.7%had completed elementary school and secondary school education respectively. Those who received health education they had high knowledge about malaria infection and also they used bed nets correctly, but lack of chemical / k-o tablet (retreating kit early habits. Regarding the age level and educational status of the study participants had statistical significantly associated withmalaria parasites infection, were P< 0.05 [OR=0.837, 95%CI= (8.244, 2.939), OR4.409, 95%CI=0.942-2.669] respectively.Knowledge level among the study participants was observed to be more preventive and control measures were relatively poor. Hence, a comprehensive health education and promotion of community education should be given with a special emphasis to assure that individual households use Insecticide Treated Nets correctly, adapt integrated vector control approach, avoid misconception about cause of malaria and seek treatment early