Treatment-seeking behaviour for febrile illness in an area of seasonal malaria transmission in rural Ethiopia
Abstract Background Very little is known about the management of malaria and treatment-seeking patterns among children and adults in areas of seasonal malaria transmission particularly in east Africa. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess treatment-seeking behaviour for reported malaria amo...
| Published in: | Malaria Journal |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2007
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-6-49 https://doaj.org/article/d77e736ddf134910a3486f3be251c3b2 |
| Summary: | Abstract Background Very little is known about the management of malaria and treatment-seeking patterns among children and adults in areas of seasonal malaria transmission particularly in east Africa. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess treatment-seeking behaviour for reported malaria among all age groups in an area of seasonal transmission. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 2,253 households in 12 randomly selected rural kebeles in Adami Tulu district in south-central Ethiopia, during October-November 2003, using a pre-tested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Results Reported malaria was 14% among 12,225 people assessed during the last 14 days. Family/self-diagnosis was most common and the main first responses included visiting village-based community health workers (CHWs) (33%), public health facility (23%) and private clinic (17%). Home treatment was the least reported first response (3%). Only 13% had sought treatment within the first 24 hours of symptom onset. Early treatment-seeking pattern was reported among those who visited CHWs and practiced home treatment, with more delays among public facility users. Treatment-seeking behaviour was similar in all age groups. Conclusion A considerable proportion of visits were made to CHWs and private providers, necessitating the importance of strengthening both community-based interventions and peripheral public and private facilities. Finally, the community should be informed and educated about the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment with effective antimalarials. |
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