Barriers to care for children diagnosed with malaria at José Macamo Hospital in Maputo, Mozambique

摘要

Degree Project Thesis, Programme in Medicine. TITLE: Barriers to care for children diagnosed with malaria at José Macamo Hospital in Maputo, Mozambique. AbstractBackground: Malaria is a life threatening but treatable disease, affecting millions ofpeople annually. In Mozambique, malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality,foremost among children. People suffering from malaria should have access to diagnosisand treatment within 24 hours from onset of symptoms according to a target set by theRoll Back Malaria Partnership. Yet, people in low-income countries often encounterbarriers to care, hindering them from prompt treatment.Objective: Determine socio-cultural, economical, geographical and health care relatedfactors that have impeded access to malaria care for children diagnosed with malaria at apublic hospital in Maputo and evaluate the general knowledge about malaria amongcaregivers of the children diagnosed with malaria.Methods: Semi-structured, questionnaire based interviews with questions coveringpossible barriers to malaria care and knowledge of malaria were held with caregivers tochildren under the age of 15 diagnosed with malaria.Results: 28 caregivers were interviewed. The majority of caregivers sought care withtheir ill child after 24 hours from onset of symptoms. We could not show that havingreceived information about malaria prior to hospital visit, ability to associate correctsymptoms to malaria, suspicions of malaria or previous episodes of malaria resulted inprompt care seeking. Main reason for waiting was thinking the disease would pass byitself. Most commonly experienced and perceived barriers to care were health care relatedfactors. Few caregivers had been given information about malaria prior to coming tohospital or in connection with the hospital visit, and there is a lack of knowledge aboutmalaria symptoms.Conclusion: Incorrect perceptions of malaria, its symptoms and its potential risks seem tocause delay in seeking prompt diagnosis and treatment. More information about malariasymptoms, and foremost information about the importance of seeking prompt care, evenwith a child with vague or mild symptoms, needs to be provided.Keywords: Malaria, treatment seeking behaviour, accessibility, knowledge, children,Mozambique, attitude