Mothers' knowledge

The aim of this study was to describe mothers' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding malaria in children under five years old. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. The study population of this research composed of mothers of children under five years old suffering from malaria in Thyolo district. The study findings showed that mothers' economic-demographic characteristics that were significantly associated with their knowledge regarding malaria in children under five years old were age (p=0.018), formal education (p=0.001), income (p=0.005), and type of a house (p=0.002). Mothers' treatment-seeking behaviour was significantly associated with education (p=0.017). The study also indicated that treatment given to children at home prior to hospitalisation was significantly associated with mothers' formal education (p=0.0001), number of children that passed away (p=0.015), distance to the health facility (p=0.013), lack of money (p=0.019), and time taken at the hospital to get treatment (p=0.016). The researcher recommended improvement of mothers' malaria knowledge, reduction of poverty among women in the country, and research regarding technology.

Autorentext

Humphrey Makalani Panchi is a lecturer at Malawi College of Health Sciences. He is a public health specialist and holds a Masters degree in public health from the University of South Africa (UNISA).

Klappentext

The aim of this study was to describe mothers' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding malaria in children under five years old. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. The study population of this research composed of mothers of children under five years old suffering from malaria in Thyolo district. The study findings showed that mothers' economic-demographic characteristics that were significantly associated with their knowledge regarding malaria in children under five years old were age (p=0.018), formal education (p=0.001), income (p=0.005), and type of a house (p=0.002). Mothers' treatment-seeking behaviour was significantly associated with education (p=0.017). The study also indicated that treatment given to children at home prior to hospitalisation was significantly associated with mothers' formal education (p=0.0001), number of children that passed away (p=0.015), distance to the health facility (p=0.013), lack of money (p=0.019), and time taken at the hospital to get treatment (p=0.016). The researcher recommended improvement of mothers' malaria knowledge, reduction of poverty among women in the country, and research regarding technology.