The influence of the Gilgel-Gibe hydroelectric dam in Ethiopia on caregivers' knowledge, perceptions and health-seeking behaviour towards childhood malaria
Abstract Background Malaria remains the most important public health problem in tropical and subtropical areas. Mothers' or caregivers' ability to recognize childhood malaria-related morbidity is crucial as knowledge, attitudes and health seeking behavior of caregivers towards childhood ma...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:16cfd6110ba8477eb5e973ae9715bc6c 2023-05-15T15:13:03+02:00 The influence of the Gilgel-Gibe hydroelectric dam in Ethiopia on caregivers' knowledge, perceptions and health-seeking behaviour towards childhood malaria Duchateau Luc Kaba Daniel Sudaker Morankar Tushune Kora Woldemichael Kifle Kassahun Wondwossen Yewhalaw Delenasaw Van Bortel Wim Speybroeck Niko 2010-02-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-9-47 https://doaj.org/article/16cfd6110ba8477eb5e973ae9715bc6c EN eng BMC http://www.malariajournal.com/content/9/1/47 https://doaj.org/toc/1475-2875 doi:10.1186/1475-2875-9-47 1475-2875 https://doaj.org/article/16cfd6110ba8477eb5e973ae9715bc6c Malaria Journal, Vol 9, Iss 1, p 47 (2010) Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine RC955-962 Infectious and parasitic diseases RC109-216 article 2010 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-9-47 2022-12-31T08:47:45Z Abstract Background Malaria remains the most important public health problem in tropical and subtropical areas. Mothers' or caregivers' ability to recognize childhood malaria-related morbidity is crucial as knowledge, attitudes and health seeking behavior of caregivers towards childhood malaria could influence response to signs of the disease. Methods A total of 1,003 caregivers in 'at-risk' villages in close proximity to the Gilgel-Gibe hydroelectric dam in south-western Ethiopia, and 953 caregivers in 'control' villages further away from the dam were surveyed using structured questionnaires to assess their knowledge, perceptions and health seeking behaviour about childhood malaria. Results Malaria ( busa ) was ranked as the most serious health problem. Caregivers perceived childhood malaria as a preventable ('at-risk' 96%, 'control' 86%) and treatable ('at-risk' 98% and 'control' 96%) disease. Most caregivers correctly associated the typical clinical manifestations with malaria attacks. The use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) was mentioned as a personal protective measure, whereas the role of indoor residual spraying (IRS) in malaria prevention and control was under-recognized. Most of the caregivers would prefer to seek treatment in health-care services in the event of malaria and reported the use of recommended anti-malarials. Conclusion Health education to improve knowledge, perceptions and health-seeking behaviour related to malaria is equally important for caregivers in 'at risk' villages and caregivers in 'control' villages as minimal differences seen between both groups. Concluding, there may be a need of more than one generation after the introduction of the dam before differences can be noticed. Secondly, differences in prevalence between 'control' and 'at-risk' villages may not be sufficient to influence knowledge and behaviour. Article in Journal/Newspaper Arctic Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Arctic Malaria Journal 9 1 47 |
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Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
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language |
English |
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Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine RC955-962 Infectious and parasitic diseases RC109-216 |
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Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine RC955-962 Infectious and parasitic diseases RC109-216 Duchateau Luc Kaba Daniel Sudaker Morankar Tushune Kora Woldemichael Kifle Kassahun Wondwossen Yewhalaw Delenasaw Van Bortel Wim Speybroeck Niko The influence of the Gilgel-Gibe hydroelectric dam in Ethiopia on caregivers' knowledge, perceptions and health-seeking behaviour towards childhood malaria |
topic_facet |
Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine RC955-962 Infectious and parasitic diseases RC109-216 |
description |
Abstract Background Malaria remains the most important public health problem in tropical and subtropical areas. Mothers' or caregivers' ability to recognize childhood malaria-related morbidity is crucial as knowledge, attitudes and health seeking behavior of caregivers towards childhood malaria could influence response to signs of the disease. Methods A total of 1,003 caregivers in 'at-risk' villages in close proximity to the Gilgel-Gibe hydroelectric dam in south-western Ethiopia, and 953 caregivers in 'control' villages further away from the dam were surveyed using structured questionnaires to assess their knowledge, perceptions and health seeking behaviour about childhood malaria. Results Malaria ( busa ) was ranked as the most serious health problem. Caregivers perceived childhood malaria as a preventable ('at-risk' 96%, 'control' 86%) and treatable ('at-risk' 98% and 'control' 96%) disease. Most caregivers correctly associated the typical clinical manifestations with malaria attacks. The use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) was mentioned as a personal protective measure, whereas the role of indoor residual spraying (IRS) in malaria prevention and control was under-recognized. Most of the caregivers would prefer to seek treatment in health-care services in the event of malaria and reported the use of recommended anti-malarials. Conclusion Health education to improve knowledge, perceptions and health-seeking behaviour related to malaria is equally important for caregivers in 'at risk' villages and caregivers in 'control' villages as minimal differences seen between both groups. Concluding, there may be a need of more than one generation after the introduction of the dam before differences can be noticed. Secondly, differences in prevalence between 'control' and 'at-risk' villages may not be sufficient to influence knowledge and behaviour. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Duchateau Luc Kaba Daniel Sudaker Morankar Tushune Kora Woldemichael Kifle Kassahun Wondwossen Yewhalaw Delenasaw Van Bortel Wim Speybroeck Niko |
author_facet |
Duchateau Luc Kaba Daniel Sudaker Morankar Tushune Kora Woldemichael Kifle Kassahun Wondwossen Yewhalaw Delenasaw Van Bortel Wim Speybroeck Niko |
author_sort |
Duchateau Luc |
title |
The influence of the Gilgel-Gibe hydroelectric dam in Ethiopia on caregivers' knowledge, perceptions and health-seeking behaviour towards childhood malaria |
title_short |
The influence of the Gilgel-Gibe hydroelectric dam in Ethiopia on caregivers' knowledge, perceptions and health-seeking behaviour towards childhood malaria |
title_full |
The influence of the Gilgel-Gibe hydroelectric dam in Ethiopia on caregivers' knowledge, perceptions and health-seeking behaviour towards childhood malaria |
title_fullStr |
The influence of the Gilgel-Gibe hydroelectric dam in Ethiopia on caregivers' knowledge, perceptions and health-seeking behaviour towards childhood malaria |
title_full_unstemmed |
The influence of the Gilgel-Gibe hydroelectric dam in Ethiopia on caregivers' knowledge, perceptions and health-seeking behaviour towards childhood malaria |
title_sort |
influence of the gilgel-gibe hydroelectric dam in ethiopia on caregivers' knowledge, perceptions and health-seeking behaviour towards childhood malaria |
publisher |
BMC |
publishDate |
2010 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-9-47 https://doaj.org/article/16cfd6110ba8477eb5e973ae9715bc6c |
geographic |
Arctic |
geographic_facet |
Arctic |
genre |
Arctic |
genre_facet |
Arctic |
op_source |
Malaria Journal, Vol 9, Iss 1, p 47 (2010) |
op_relation |
http://www.malariajournal.com/content/9/1/47 https://doaj.org/toc/1475-2875 doi:10.1186/1475-2875-9-47 1475-2875 https://doaj.org/article/16cfd6110ba8477eb5e973ae9715bc6c |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-9-47 |
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Malaria Journal |
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9 |
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1 |
container_start_page |
47 |
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1766343652888543232 |