Relationship Between Knowledge and Practices of Malaria Prevention Strategies Among Senior Secondary School Students in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between knowledge and practices of malaria prevention strategies among senior secondary school students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. A descriptive correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised senior secondary school students in selected public secondary schools in FCT Abuja, from which a sample of 400 students was drawn using appropriate sampling techniques. A structured questionnaire titled Knowledge and Practice of Malaria Prevention Strategies Questionnaire (KPMPQ) was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by experts and tested for reliability prior to administration. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) to answer the research question and Pearson Product Moment Correlation to test the null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that students possessed relatively good knowledge of malaria prevention strategies (Mean = 3.29, SD = 0.353) and moderate level of practice (Mean = 3.07, SD = 0.505). A statistically significant moderate positive relationship was found between knowledge and practice (r = 0.507, df = 398, p < 0.05). The null hypothesis stating that there is no significant relationship between knowledge and practice of malaria prevention strategies was therefore rejected. The study concluded that improved knowledge significantly enhances malaria prevention practices among students. It was recommended that school-based malaria education programmes be strengthened to ensure sustained translation of knowledge into effective preventive behaviours.