RECOGNITION, TREATMENT SEEKING BEHAVIOR AND PERCEPTION OF CAUSE OF MALARIA AMONG RURAL WOMEN IN UGANDA

This study was conducted in order to understand how women in rural Uga nda recognise malaria, their treatment-seeking behaviour when malaria is suspected and how the perception of cause may influence this behavi our. Focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews were held with women selected from the general population and from women attendi ng 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 cons istently correspond to the clinical case definition of malaria. Since there was no specific word for 'malaria', the study was broadened to e ncompass omusujja. The women reported that omusujja was an important h ealth problem which had various causes, including poor diet, environme ntal conditions, and the bites of mosquitoes. The symptoms associated with omusujja were quite varied and ranged from generally 'feeling unw ell' 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. The findings suggest that without prior research, malaria control prog rammes which aim at Vector control and early diagnosis and treatment o f cases may prove ineffective and that Information, Communication and Education (IEC) Programmes should be designed, implemented and evaluat ed with the full participation of the target population at every stage .