Research shows that mothers often do not seek prompt medical consultation for common childhood illnesses, although this could drastically reduce mortality. This study investigates why Malian mothers delay treatment, and their knowledge and perceptions of common childhood illnesses.
Mothers identified the most serious childhood illnesses as: measles (52.5%), diarrhea (50.1%), and malaria (29.9%); and the most frequent childhood illnesses as: diarrhea (63.2%), respiratory infection (50.9%), and malaria (45.3%).
Most mothers correctly identified the symptoms and causes of these diseases, but are less informed about proper treatment or prevention.
Most mothers seek modern treatment for the measles. Although some mothers believe that measles are caused by exposure to heat or wind, ironically most state that measles can be prevented by vaccination, or by avoiding contact with infected individuals.
Common treatments of diarrhea are traditional. Many mothers believe that diarrhea can be prevented by vaccination, or by avoiding sugary foods.
Fears of the high fever associated with malaria lead many mothers to seek modern treatment. Although most mothers know that malaria can be prevented by giving chloroquine or reducing exposure to mosquitoes, many also wrongly attribute its cause to sugary or greasy foods.
Respiratory infection is seen as a "common," but not "serious" illness, which leads many mothers to use home or traditional treatments.
Malian mothers have a good understanding of the symptoms of common childhood illnesses, but their perceptions of the causes often leads them to delay appropriate treatment, or to ignore prevention measures.
Learning Objectives: Diarrhea, pneumonia, measles, malaria and malnutrition account for more than 70% of deaths and health facility visits among children under 5 years of age in developing countries. However, little is known about mothers' case management of these common, but deadly childhood illnesses. Participants will gain an understanding of Malian mothers' knowledge and perceptions of malaria, acute respiratory infection, diarrhea, and measles and how these perceptions influence what treatment and prevention measures mothers take when their children are ill. Participants will additionally learn how a better understanding of mothers' perceptions regarding childhood illness can be used to improve health education activities which target mothers.
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.