Document Detail


How local community knowledge about malaria affects insecticide-treated net use in northern Ghana.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  15807801     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Large-scale trials of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) throughout Sub-Saharan Africa demonstrated that they reduce child mortality in malaria endemic communities. These encouraging results have generated interest in ITNs as a viable malaria control strategy in many malaria endemic countries. However, regular use of ITNs under routine or non-project conditions has been beset with several problems. This paper explores how local community knowledge about malaria acts as a barrier to the use of ITNs in three settings. We employed structured formal observation and a range of interviewing techniques which included informal interviews, focus group discussions, semi-structured in-depth interviews, and structured survey interviewing. People recognize the term 'malaria' but have limited biomedical knowledge of the disease, including its aetiology, the role of the vector, and host response. Convulsions and anaemia are rarely linked to malaria. The people acknowledged a role for ITNs in nuisance reduction, but not for malaria prevention.
Authors:
Philip B Adongo; Betty Kirkwood; Carl Kendall
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH     Volume:  10     ISSN:  1360-2276     ISO Abbreviation:  Trop. Med. Int. Health     Publication Date:  2005 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2005-04-05     Completed Date:  2005-05-09     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9610576     Medline TA:  Trop Med Int Health     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  366-78     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Navrongo Health Research Centre, Navrongo, Ghana. padongo@navrongo.mimcom.net
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Anemia / parasitology
Animals
Bedding and Linens / utilization*
Child, Preschool
Female
Fever / parasitology
Ghana
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Home Nursing / methods
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Insect Vectors
Insecticides / administration & dosage*
Malaria / diagnosis,  prevention & control*,  psychology,  transmission
Male
Mosquito Control / methods*
Risk Factors
Seizures / parasitology
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Insecticides

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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