Knowledge and Practice on Malaria among Korean Soldiers in Nearby Demilitarized Zone in South Korea

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to provide evidence for developing intervention and effective management for the prevention of malaria based on epidemiological analysis and assessment of Korean soldiers’ knowledge on malaria and malaria preventive behavior. METHODS: The data were collected from 294 Korean soldiers nearby the demilitarized zone in Gyeonggi Province in 2016. Multiple regression analyses were applied for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The level of education (β=.24, P<.001), educational experience on malaria (β=.21, P<.001) and ranks like corporal (β=.13, P<.05), and sergeant (β=.13, P<.05) were observed to be associated with the level of knowledge of malaria (F=9.62, R(2)=.12, P<.001). Knowledge of malaria (β=.25, P<.001) and malaria education experience (β=.22, P<.001) were the factors that influenced malaria prevention behavior and practice (F=12.45, R(2)=.18, P<.001). CONCLUSION: The level of knowledge and education experience was associated with malaria prevention practice. Therefore, malaria education is very important for the soldiers in nearby DMZ for prevention of malaria. The findings provide implications for the development of intervention programs focusing on increasing the levels of knowledge and practices related to malaria.