Date of Conferral
2021
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Public Health
Advisor
HAROLD GRIFFIN
Abstract
Millions of malaria cases are reported yearly in sub-Saharan Africa, events which adversely influence children’s school performance. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional study was to investigate the effectiveness of major malaria control policies in reducing malaria cases as a means of improving academic performance among school children in the greater Accra region of Ghana. A secondary data set was obtained from the 2014-2016 data from the Ghana Malaria Indicator Survey (GMIS). Findings indicated that bed net use and malarial episodes in children of participant recorded a p-value of 0.43 which is a significant association between the variables. The likelihood of child getting malaria when children slept under the mosquito net was low as p = 0.637. The type of ITNs bed nets children slept under was not predictive of malaria episodes, evident by an odd ratio of 0.878. The impact of malarial infection on academic performance was positively associated as a p-value near 0.000 was obtained. Findings showed that age and gender of child did not relate to the prevention of malaria; however, use of bed nets prevented malaria and reduced or eliminated the risk of cerebral malaria and aided enhance academic performance in children. The social change implications may include fewer infections and improved academic performance. Malaria prevention education of ITNs use should be planned to reach people of all demographic backgrounds and encourage adherence with recommended malaria preventive practices.[Keywords: Malaria, Bed nets, Social influence, Interpersonal influence, Ghana, Prevention, Performance, Juvenile, Students]
Recommended Citation
BUMBOKURI, ANS, "Associations Between the Use of Bed Nets and Malaria Infection on the School Performance of Juveniles in Ghana" (2021). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 12650.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/12650
