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Despite progress in eliminating nonzoonotic malaria species, Malaysia continues to face challenges in controlling\n                      <jats:italic>P. knowlesi<\/jats:italic>\n                      . While epidemiological and vector control studies are reported, less is known about the community-level sociocultural dynamics influencing prevention behaviours. Therefore, this qualitative evidence synthesis (QES) aims to consolidate existing evidence on community experiences and perceptions related to\n                      <jats:italic>P. knowlesi<\/jats:italic>\n                      malaria, as well as the social, cultural, and contextual factors influencing prevention and healthcare-seeking behaviours in Malaysia.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This QES protocol has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD 420251045457). A systematic literature search was conducted in electronic databases, and data analysis followed Thomas and Harden\u2019s thematic synthesis method.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      The QES included five qualitative and mixed-method studies published between 2022 and 2024 that explored community perspectives on\n                      <jats:italic>P. knowlesi<\/jats:italic>\n                      malaria in Malaysia. Three analytical themes were synthesized: (1) \u2018Knowledge and Lived Realities Shape Community Risk Perception of Knowlesi Malaria\u2019, suggesting community understanding of\n                      <jats:italic>P. knowlesi<\/jats:italic>\n                      , fear of hospitalization and income loss influencing health-seeking behaviours; (2) \u2018Environmental, Structural, and Social Barriers Constrain Community Engagement with Malaria Prevention and Healthcare Seeking\u2019, where environmental exposure, occupational risks, challenges to the use of personal protection, and access barriers were major determinants; and (3) \u2018Malaria Prevention Practices Reflect Local Knowledge, and Availability of Formal Prevention Measures\u2019, highlighting the application of natural and household remedies for prevention, while using formal preventive measures.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      This QES consolidates the available evidence for\n                      <jats:italic>P. knowlesi<\/jats:italic>\n                      malaria control strategies including prevention and healthcare seeking. It highlights that malaria prevention behaviours are shaped not only by knowledge on transmission and diseases, but also by the social, environmental, and cultural realities in local context. Therefore, integrating local community perspectives and challenges into prevention and vector control programs could enhance the sustainability and equity in rural areas in Malaysia.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1186\/s12936-026-05785-4","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,12]],"date-time":"2026-01-12T09:05:24Z","timestamp":1768208724000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Synthesis of qualitative evidence on community experiences and perceptions of Plasmodium knowlesi malaria and factors influencing prevention and healthcare-seeking behaviours in Malaysia"],"prefix":"10.1186","volume":"25","author":[{"given":"Mila Nu Nu","family":"Htay","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Nik Hamzah Nik","family":"Mohd","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Mon Mon Thawda","family":"Oo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Lin Phyo Phyo","family":"San","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Adinegara Lutfi","family":"Abas","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,12]]},"reference":[{"issue":"1","key":"5785_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"9113","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-025-93487-3","volume":"15","author":"J Huang","year":"2025","unstructured":"Huang J, et al. 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