Abstract:
A cross-sectional study was carried in a holoendemic
area of Tanzania during the rainy season when the disease is
reported to be most prevalent.
A total of 397 households were involved in the study which
included 646 respondents. These were interviewed concerning
their perception on the cause of malaria, modes of malaria
prevention, appropriate health action in case of malaria
episode, impact of malaria on life and on working capacity.
The findings were that:
- 64.2% of the study population had a positive perception of
malaria while 35.8% had not. Education, age, sex, household
size were found to be significant predictors of positive
perception of malaria.
- The majority of the respondents were aware of the cause of
malaria.
- The mosquito-net alone or combined with other control
measures was the control measure that most respondents
perceived to be protective against malaria.
- The majority of the respondents perceived modern medicine
more appropriate than traditional healing in treating
malaria.
- They also perceived malaria to be life threatening and to
have a negative impact on working capacity.
- For each under-five suffering from malaria, 5.4 days were
lost by the household member especially the mother who was
found to be responsiblp for child care activities. An amount
found to be responsible for child care activities. An amount
of 100 to 1200 T.Sh. were paid per sick child to cover
expenses following the malaria episode.
However, labour substitution of domestic activities was
found to take place in affected household. Close relatives
of the sick child like sister, aunt, grand-mother took over
additional responsabilities.
Given that mosquito-net was the most cited malaria control
measure, the author suggests that prospective malaria
control programme in the study area should include mosquito-
net to meet people's expectations.
