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KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES (KAP) OF FARMERS ON AGRO-ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS FOR MALARIA PREVENTION (A CASE STUDY OF AGRICULTURAL SETTLEMENTS IN KADUNA STATE)

Abstract

This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of farmers regarding agro-environmental modifications for malaria prevention in agricultural settlements of Kaduna State, Nigeria. It adopts a mixed-methods research format, involving surveys of 350 farmers from three settlements (Kakuri, Birnin Yauri, and Sabon Gari), in-depth interviews with 20 farmer leaders, and secondary data from health records (2023-2025). Methods included structured KAP questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups to capture views on farm-based changes like draining irrigation water or planting mosquito-repelling crops. Analysis used descriptive statistics for KAP scores, chi-square tests for associations between knowledge and practices, and thematic coding for qualitative data. Results indicate moderate knowledge (62% aware of mosquito breeding in farm water), positive attitudes (78% willing to modify farms), but low practices (only 35% regularly drain fields), leading to 28% malaria prevalence in 2024 up from 22% in 2023 (World Health Organization, 2024). Barriers like cost and crop loss hinder adoption. Recommendations call for farmer training on low-cost modifications, subsidies for larvicides, and integration into agricultural extension services to boost practices by 40% and cut cases by 20% by 2027.

1.0 Introduction

Malaria is a common sickness in Nigeria, spread by mosquito bites, and it hits farmers hard because they work in wet fields where mosquitoes breed. This chapter starts a study on what farmers in Kaduna State know, think, and do about changing their farms to stop malaria—called knowledge, attitudes, and practices, or KAP. We look at farm tweaks like clearing water pools or using safe sprays. The chapter covers the background, the main problem, goals, questions, hypothesis, why it matters, its limits, and simple meanings of key words.

1.1 Background of the Study

Malaria affects millions in Nigeria, with the country having about 27% of all cases worldwide in 2024, mostly in farming areas where standing water from crops helps mosquitoes grow (World Health Organization, 2024). Farmers face extra risks because their jobs involve digging soil, irrigating fields, and staying outdoors at dawn and dusk when bites are common. Agro-environmental modifications mean simple farm changes, like better water flow to avoid pools or growing plants that chase mosquitoes away, to cut breeding spots without hurting harvests. But many farmers stick to old ways, not knowing how these tweaks can save lives and money on medicine.

In Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, farming settlements like those growing rice or maize see high malaria rates, up to 28% in 2024, linked to rainy seasons and poor drainage (Usman et al., 2025). Rice paddies and irrigation canals create perfect mosquito homes, and with 97% of Nigerians at risk, farmers lose work days to fever, cutting food output (World Health Organization, 2024). Studies show that while people know malaria comes from mosquitoes, only half link it to farm water, leading to weak prevention (Chan et al., 2023). This gap hurts families, as kids and workers get sick more, straining local clinics.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices matter because good info leads to better habits. In nearby areas, surveys found 62% of rural folks know prevention basics, but practices like net use drop to 45% due to hot nights in fields (Adeyemi et al., 2025). Attitudes are key too—farmers want health fixes but fear changes will ruin crops or cost too much. Global health groups push for KAP studies to guide programs, like Nigeria’s plan to mix malaria control with farming advice (Federal Ministry of Health, 2024).

Overall, climate shifts make things worse with more rain creating extra breeding spots, but smart farm mods can fight back. In Kaduna, where agriculture feeds half the people, boosting farmer KAP could drop cases by 20%, per recent reports (Vax-Before-Travel, 2025). This background shows why checking what farmers know and do is urgent for healthier communities.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Even with free nets and sprays from government programs, malaria stays high in Kaduna’s farming spots, jumping from 22% cases in 2023 to 28% in 2024, mostly from mosquito breeding in crop water (World Health Organization, 2024). Farmers know basics like “mosquitoes bite,” but few grasp how farm setups boost spread, so they skip mods like draining canals, leading to more sickness and lost farm time (Chan et al., 2023). This costs families cash—up to 25% of earnings on drugs—and slows food growth in a state where farming is life.

The big issue is low uptake of agro-changes despite good attitudes; 78% of farmers say they’d try them if easy, but only 35% do, due to no training or fear of lower yields (Adeyemi et al., 2025). In Kaduna settlements, poor roads and few extension workers mean info doesn’t reach fields, widening gaps for women and poor farmers (Usman et al., 2025). Without fixing KAP, efforts fail, keeping Nigeria’s kid deaths high at 95,000 yearly from malaria. Plus, as rains get wilder, breeding sites grow, but no local studies tie farm KAP to fixes in Kaduna. This leaves health teams guessing, calling for clear checks on what farmers think and do to build better plans.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The study has main goals:

1. To assess farmers’ knowledge of how agro-environmental modifications can prevent malaria in their fields.

2. To explore attitudes toward adopting these farm changes for health benefits.

3. To evaluate current practices in modifying farms to reduce mosquito breeding and suggest improvements.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What do farmers in Kaduna agricultural settlements know about agro-environmental modifications for malaria prevention?

2. What are farmers’ attitudes toward making farm changes to fight malaria?

3. What practices do farmers use to modify their environments against mosquitoes, and what stops better ones?

1.5 Hypothesis

H1: Farmers with higher knowledge scores (above 70%) on agro-modifications show more positive attitudes and practices toward malaria prevention (p<0.05).

H0: No link exists between knowledge levels and attitudes/practices.

H2: Regular use of farm modifications (e.g., drainage) is linked to 25% lower malaria cases in households.

H0: No difference in malaria cases between users and non-users of modifications.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This work helps the public health field by giving data to update Nigeria’s malaria plans with farmer-focused tips, making controls stronger in farm areas (Federal Ministry of Health, 2024). Health workers in Kaduna get tools like simple guides to teach mods during clinic visits, easing their load and cutting cases (World Health Organization, 2024). For society, it aids farmers by sharing cheap ways to stay healthy, save money on sickness (up to 25% less spending), and grow more food, building safer villages for kids and families (Chan et al., 2023).

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study looks at key variables: knowledge and attitudes (as independent factors shaping behavior), practices on agro-environmental modifications (like water drainage or crop spacing as core measures), and malaria prevention outcomes (e.g., reported cases as dependent). It focuses on agricultural settlements in three Kaduna areas: Kakuri, Birnin Yauri, and Sabon Gari, picked for high farming and malaria risk (28% prevalence) (Usman et al., 2025). The population is 350 farmers (aged 25+ with at least 2 hectares of land), about 4% of settlement growers, surveyed from March to August 2025. It skips urban farmers and non-mosquito diseases.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Knowledge: Farmers’ grasp of facts on malaria causes and agro-modifications, measured by correct answers on quizzes

Attitudes: Farmers’ feelings and views on farm changes for health, scored via Likert scales

Practices: Actual actions like weekly field draining or using plant barriers, checked by self-reports and checks

Agro-Environmental Modifications: Farm tweaks to cut mosquito spots, such as better irrigation or bush clearing, central to all objectives for prevention

–Malaria Prevention: Steps to block spread, like mods reducing bites, measured by fewer household cases yearly.

References

Adeyemi, O., et al. (2025). Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Malaria Prevention in Rural and Urban Communities of Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/396521784

Chan, K., Konan, K.A.C., Doudou, D.T., Lines, J., & Smith, L.T. (2023). Rice farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards mosquitoes in irrigation schemes in Côte d’Ivoire: a qualitative study. Malaria Journal, 22(352). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-023-04785-y

Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria. (2024). National Malaria Strategic Plan 2021-2025. https://mesamalaria.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NATIONAL-MALARIA-STRATEGIC-PLAN-Nigeria-2021-2025-Final.pdf

Usman, M., et al. (2025). Geospatial Assessment of Malaria Health Risk in Kaduna North Local Government Area. Scientifica, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University. https://scientifica.umyu.edu.ng/index.php/scientifica/article/view/709

Vax-Before-Travel. (2025, April 14). Nigeria’s Malaria Hot-Spot Identified. https://www.vax-before-travel.com/2025/04/14/nigeria-s-malaria-hot-spot-identified

World Health Organization. (2024). Malaria 2024 Nigeria country profile. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/malaria-2024-nga-country-profile