Knowledge and Practices Among Third-Year Nursing Students Regarding the Management of Malaria Cases at a University in Windhoek, Khomas Region, Namibia
Abstract:
Introduction: Malaria affects more than half of the world's population and an estimated 3.2 billion people globally are still at risk of contracting malaria. The World Health Organization reports that roughly 214 million new cases of malaria were reported in 2014, resulting in 428,000 fatalities worldwide. In 2015, the WHO African Region reported 88% of malaria cases, the WHO South-East Region reported 10%, and the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region recorded 2%. In 2018, there were around 228 million cases of malaria and 405,000 deaths worldwide, with Africa having the largest number of cases and fatalities.
Methodology: The study adopted a quantitative research design with interference of a descriptive design, and a population of 89 students. A random sampling method was used in the study, giving a 61-sample size. The author, assisted by the supervisor designed the web-based questionnaire and shared it with the sampled members. A 100% response was obtained.
Results: The study revealed that the participants had 88.5% good knowledge in diagnosing a positive malaria case, guaranteeing that the 70.5% lecture content prepared the participants to make a diagnosis and vigilance in identifying 90.1% risk factors. However, some participants' knowledge regarding diagnostic knowledge was 1.6% poor, especially in identifying the most common signs and symptoms of Malaria. The study further revealed that the participants had 68.9% average managerial skills regardless of having to attend to a malaria case before. The participants that scored 4.9% exceptional were those that were previously enrolled nurses. The knowledge regarding the treatment of malaria including the treatment guidelines was good, thus the participants had stipulated to have average 68.9% managerial skills and the skills were most likely to improve as they continue to encounter many of these cases. The study further revealed that most 90.2% of the third-year nursing students had not attended to a Malaria case before, thus the practice regarding the management of a Malaria case is at its minimum. The participant’s theoretical management rates 100%, this includes the treatment therapy (drug administration).
Conclusion: The data was analysed and presented in graphs and tables to give a clear understanding and analysis. The main finding of the study was that third-year nursing students have diagnostic knowledge and they can manage a Malaria positive case. While working on the study, the researcher came to realize that there were not enough publications on the knowledge and practices regarding Malaria but rather more on the prevalence.
