Future Intentions regarding Artemisia Infusion Use in Kalima Health District, DR Congo: A Structural Analysis of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Uncomplicated Malaria Management

Malaria remains a critical public health challenge in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), one exacerbated by socio-economic factors, limited access to health services, and prevalent reliance on unverified traditional remedies. This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of households in the Kalima health district re-lated to uncomplicated malaria management. A total of 619 households were included in this study. Data were collected through structured interviews using a validated question-naire administered by trained enumerators. Statistical analyses included descriptive sta-tistics, chi-square tests, and structural equation modeling (SEM) to evaluate the relation-ships among KAPs regarding the use of artemisia infusion for malaria management. Our findings reveal significant gaps in malaria knowledge that hinder effective disease man-agement. While the majority of respondents acknowledged the seriousness of malaria and the necessity of medical treatment, only a fraction reported engaging in timely health-seeking behaviors and preventive practices. The results also highlight the wide-spread use of Artemisia annua tea as a traditional remedy for malaria, despite its unproven efficacy. To effectively combat malaria, it is imperative to develop culturally sensitive con-trol strategies that integrate community engagement and education on both conventional and traditional practices. Strengthening health education initiatives tailored to local con-texts is essential for improving knowledge and promoting optimal health behaviors. This research underscores the urgent need for comprehensive malaria control strategies that address the unique socio-economic realities of affected populations, particularly in the face of emerging challenges such as artemisinin resistance.