Performance-art is a preferred model for malaria education among high school students in western Kenya

The data set describes the results of a cross-sectional study designed to determine the level of malaria awareness and the preferred malaria education model(s) among high school students from selected schools in Western Kenya. The study was conducted in three schools and a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect relevant information. Students also participated in art and science malaria-based projects/activities. The study findings show majority of the students (90%) to possess correct knowledge of malaria symptoms and prevention interventions. Performance art was identified as the most preferred malaria education model (51%), followed by open group discussion (16%), science-based demonstration (13%), essay writing (12%) and creative drawing (8%). There was a significant association between sex and preferred model of malaria education with female participation rate in performance arts being significantly higher than that of males (χ=38, p<0.001). Overall, we show that performance art is the preferred model for malaria education among high school students in western Kenya. Identification of preferred engagement model may enable successful implementation of community-based malaria prevention and control activities.

本数据集呈现了一项横断面研究的结果，该研究旨在探明肯尼亚西部选定中学高中生的疟疾认知水平及疟疾教育首选模式。本次研究在3所中学开展，采用自填式问卷收集相关信息，同时组织学生参与以疟疾为主题的艺术与科学项目/活动。研究结果显示，绝大多数学生（90%）能够正确掌握疟疾症状及预防干预措施相关知识。表演艺术（Performance art）是最受青睐的疟疾教育模式（占比51%），其次分别为开放式小组讨论（16%）、科学演示（13%）、论文写作（12%）与创意绘画（8%）。性别与疟疾教育首选模式之间存在显著关联，其中女性参与表演艺术教育模式的比例显著高于男性（卡方值χ²=38，p<0.001）。综上，本研究证实，表演艺术是肯尼亚西部高中生疟疾教育的首选模式。明确首选的参与式教育模式，可为社区疟疾预防与控制活动的顺利开展提供支撑。