Knowledge and Practice of Vector Control against Malaria by Mothers of Children Aged 06 to 59 Months Hospitalized for Severe Malaria in the Pediatric Department of the Reference Health Center of Commune I of Bamako

Introduction: Severe malaria is a public health problem that causes a real socio-economic burden in developing countries. It is associated with high but avoidable mortality thanks to preventive and curative measures. Methodology: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study with a prospective survey for the benefit of mothers of children aged 06 to 59 months hospitalized for serious malaria in the pediatric department of the Reference Health Center of Commune I of Bamako from October 2021 to September 2022. Results: In 12 months, 624 children were hospitalized, including 151 children aged 6 to 59 months suffering from severe malaria. The hospital frequency of severe malaria in this age group from 06 to 59 months was 24.2%. The average age of the mothers interviewed was 27.8 years with a range of 15 to 48 years. Mothers were educated in 84.1%, married in 98.7% and working as housewives in 81.5%. The reason for consulting children was fever (91.4%), anorexia (90.1%), prostration (79.5%). Mothers knew about impregnated mosquito nets and smoke coils as means of prevention against malaria at the same frequency of 99.3%, repellent creams 96.7%, and indoor spraying in 92.7%. In practice, they used smoke coils in 64.2%, repellent cream in 44.4% and mosquito nets impregnated with insecticide in 40.4%. Mothers attributed the cause of malaria to mosquito bites in 91.4%; They had readjusted the way sick children were fed by giving more food than usual (29.8%), splitting meals (21.8%) or using active feeding (14.6%). Most children had severe malaria, neurological form or anemic form at the same proportion of 37.1%. The assessment of the nutritional status of children revealed 18.5% acute malnutrition. The children had received conventional and traditional self-medication in 63.58 and 58.94% of cases respectively before admission. In children, a significant relationship was noted between severe anemic malaria and acute malnutrition (Fisher's exact test = 18.41; p = 0.01). ....