Malaria focused ethnographic study of community perceptions and practices in Rigoma division, Nyamira district, Kenya

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Periodical article

Title:	Malaria focused ethnographic study of community perceptions and practices in Rigoma division, Nyamira district, Kenya
Author:	Siso, Jared Maaka
Year:	2007
Periodical:	Mila: a Journal of the Institute of African Studies
Volume:	8
Pages:	17-26
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Kenya
Subjects:	malaria Gusii health education
Abstract:	Malaria remains a major public health problem, especially in Africa where 90 percent of the global incidences occur. In Kenya it is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in young children and pregnant women. This paper investigates community perceptions of and practices relating to epidemic malaria in Rigoma division, Nyamira district, which is classified by the Ministry of Health as one of the 14 districts worst hit by malaria epidemics. Data were collected in 2001 from a sample of 55 Gusii informants, selected from four different localities, who experienced a febrile illness in the three weeks prior to the study. The case histories (54.5 percent women and 45.5 percent men) indicate that the informants do have knowledge of malaria aetiology, treatment and prevention, but that this level of understanding is not translated into proper control and prevention measures. The paper recommends that a public health programme be initiated in the division to bridge existing knowledge gaps. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract, edited]