The fight against malaria has not yet been won despite the wealth of bio-medical knowledge about its cause, transmission, treatment and prevention. The malaria situation is even worse in sub-Saharan Africa where about 90% of all global deaths due to malaria occur. In Uganda, malaria is reportedly the leading cause of morbidity and mortality accounting for about 20% of hospital admissions and 23% deaths among children under 5. It is estimated that malaria reduces GDP by 1.3% per annum and is projected to reduce economic growth by 30% in the year 2000-2001. Malaria parasites are increasingly becoming resistant to drugs, such as chloroquin, that have historically been used to treat malaria. Because of the insufficiency of treatment, there is now a drive towards adoption of preventive methods. To this end, the Commercial Market Strategies Project obtained funding from USAID to social market Insecticide Treated Nets in Uganda.
This household survey explores people’s knowledge about malaria, attitudes and practices in the prevention of malaria, severity of malaria among households, attitudes towards nets and insecticide treatment, a comparative analysis of the cost for prevention and treatment and household practices against malaria. Also examined are sleeping arrangements in households, the relationship between exposure to malaria education messages and use of nets and the relationship between household use of nets and incidence of malaria among children aged five or lower. The paper will discuss the implications of the findings for the social marketing of Insecticide Treated nets.
Learning Objectives: 1. Assess household knowledge of malaria, attitudes and practices in the prevention of malaria, severity of malaria among households, and attitudes towards insecticide treated nets 2. Analyze the cost of preventing and treating malaria in Uganda 3. Demonstrate the usefulness of the research findings for a program to socially market insecticide treated nets in Uganda
Keywords: International Health, Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Disclosure: Work was performed on a USAID project (Commercial Market Strategies) in Uganda on which I am employed
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
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