Cognitive predictors of adherence to malaria prophylaxis regimens on return from a malarious region: a prospective study

Abstract

Cases of 'imported malaria' into countries where malaria is not endemic are increasing and evidence suggests that non-use of malaria prophylaxis and lack of adherence are contributing to this increase. Non-adherence may be especially likely because chemoprophylaxis regimens require travellers to continue to take medication for 4 weeks after their return from a malarious region. This study investigated the extent to which cognition measures specified by the theory of planned behaviour and the health belief model could distinguish between those who reported greater or lesser adherence after their return. Cognitions were measured using a brief questionnaire on the day of departure from the mala..