Recognition, treatment seeking behaviour and perception of cause of malaria among rural women in Uganda

This study was conducted in order to understand how women in rural Uganda recognise malaria, their treatment-seeking behaviour when malaria is suspected and how the perception of cause may influence this behaviour. Focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews were held with women selected...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Acta tropica Vol. 58; no. 3-4; p. 267
Main Authors:	Kengeya-Kayondo, J F, Seeley, J A, Kajura-Bajenja, E, Kabunga, E, Mubiru, E, Sembajja, F, Mulder, D W
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Netherlands 01-12-1994
Subjects:	Adolescent Adult Female Health Education Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Humans Malaria - epidemiology Malaria - prevention & control Malaria - psychology Patient Acceptance of Health Care Pregnancy Rural Health Uganda - epidemiology Uganda Community Surveys Eastern Africa Health Services Qualitative Evaluation Malaria > prevention and control Data Collection Delivery Of Health Care Research Methodology English Speaking Africa Rural Population > women Sampling Studies Education Population Characteristics Population Behavior Parasitic Diseases Maternal-child Health Services Demographic Factors Evaluation Health Africa Focus Groups Psychological Factors Diseases Studies Surveys Treatment Perception Uganda Developing Countries Primary Health Care Africa South Of The Sahara Health Education
Online Access:	Get more information
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	This study was conducted in order to understand how women in rural Uganda recognise malaria, their treatment-seeking behaviour when malaria is suspected and how the perception of cause may influence this behaviour. Focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews were held with women selected from the general population and from women attending health clinics for both preventive and curative services. The main finding of this study was that the word used for malaria in the local language, omusujja, covered a broad symptom complex which did not consistently correspond to the clinical case definition of malaria. Since there was no specific word for 'malaria', the study was broadened to encompass omusujja. The women reported that omusujja was an important health problem which had various causes, including poor diet, environmental conditions, and the bites of mosquitoes. The symptoms associated with omusujja were quite varied and ranged from generally 'feeling unwell' to a specific fever diagnosis (usually in children) of 'a rise in body temperature'. Women recognised that omusujja posed a particular threat to pregnant women. Preventive actions recommended by the women were in line with their perceptions of cause. The respondents usually mentioned the use of herbs as the first treatment action, followed by the purchase of tablets from shops, with the final recourse being the formal health sector if the previous actions had not effected a cure.
ISSN:	0001-706X
DOI:	10.1016/0001-706X(94)90020-5