Community Perceptions of Malaria and Malaria Treatment Seeking Behaviours in Cameroon

COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS OF MALARIA AND MALARIA TREATMENT SEEKING BEHAVIOURS IN CAMEROON J.N. Ambebila Abstract Background One of the most important factors in the success of any malaria management programme is to understand what malaria is within the household. This study investigates the local communities' understanding of malaria transmission, recognition of signs and symptoms, perceptions of cause, treatment-seeking patterns, preventive measures and practices in Cameroon. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess treatment-seeking behaviour for reported malaria among all age groups in order to reorient the country's National Malaria Control Programme on appropriate intervention strategies to ensure appropriate treatment for malaria and provide good quality care to patients. Methods Focus Group Discussions were held with demographic groups of community members who attend health centers most frequently (primary caregivers, adult women and adult men). In all, 14 focus group discussions were held with 150 participants. Results The main findings of this study were that there was a high score of participants perceiving fevers as malaria. There was a high level of automedication and the use of ‘heath shock therapy' for the treatment of malaria. Most of the participants recognized malaria as an acceptable disease. Participants preferred to consult at mission health facilities compared to cheaper public health facilities. Conclusion This study has shown the importance of home base management of malaria and the importance of seeking malaria treatment from non public health facilities such as mission health facilities and Patent Medicine Dealers as first resort to malaria. This necessitates the importance of strengthening community based interventions and the private sector in the fight against malaria. Community members should be informed and educated about the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of fevers within 24 hours of symptom onset. Number of words = 289