| Treatment-seeking practices for malaria in pregnancy among rural women in Mukono district, Uganda. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 16490155 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Understanding treatment-seeking practices for malaria in pregnancy is necessary in designing effective programmes to address the high malaria morbidity in pregnancy. This study assessed women's perceptions on malaria in pregnancy, recognition of early signs of pregnancy and of malaria, and the cultural context in which treatment seeking takes place in Mukono District. Focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews were conducted among pregnant women, non-pregnant women, adolescents and men. The results showed that malaria, locally known as omusujja, was perceived as the most common cause of ill health among pregnant women. Although malaria commonly presents with fever, some pregnant women feel hot in the womb with or without signs of fever and this illness, locally known as nabuguma, may lead to progressive weakness and occasionally to miscarriage and few respondents associated it with malaria. Primigravidae, adolescents and men were not considered at risk of omusujja or nabuguma. Similarly anaemia and low birth weight were not associated with malaria; in fact paleness was described as a normal sign of pregnancy. There are cultural and social pressures on married women to get pregnant and this forces them to conceal symptoms like feeling feverishness, backache, nausea, general weakness, loss of appetite and vomiting until they are sure these are due to pregnancy. Most women, however, could not differentiate symptoms of malaria from those of early pregnancy. There is a belief that omusujja is a normal sign of pregnancy and this is coupled with a strong cultural practice of using herbs and clays as a first resort to treat pregnancy ailments including malaria. The cultural beliefs and practices regarding delivery of twin and first births, coupled with the high cost of care, prevent women from delivering and using other services at health units. |
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Authors:
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Anthony K Mbonye; Stella Neema; Pascal Magnussen |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of biosocial science Volume: 38 ISSN: 0021-9320 ISO Abbreviation: J Biosoc Sci Publication Date: 2006 Mar |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2006-02-21 Completed Date: 2006-05-12 Revised Date: 2006-11-15 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0177346 Medline TA: J Biosoc Sci Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 221-37 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda. |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adult Culture Female Focus Groups Health Behavior / ethnology* Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice* Humans Malaria / complications, drug therapy*, etiology Middle Aged Patient Acceptance of Health Care / ethnology* Pregnancy Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / drug therapy* Rural Health* Uganda |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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