A KAP Study on Malaria in Zanzibar: Implications for Prevention and Control: A Study Conducted for UNICEF Sub-Office Zanzibar

Reports on the KAP Study, a collaborative undertaking of the UNICEF Sub-Office Zanzibar & Zanzibar Ministries of Health & Education, conducted Dec 1996-Feb 1997, with the objective of interpreting grassroots information about Zanzibaris' understanding of the causation & transmission of malaria so as to select priority interventions to improve home-based management & prevention of childhood malaria. The information obtained has formed the basis for designing various interventions targeting caregivers' risk behaviors, household ability to make informed decisions, & both private & public sector provision of adequate advice & support to households. Key findings included (1) although public health messages about malaria were technically correct, they did not address the common cultural myths & perceptions about causation & transmission of malaria; (2) respondents made a clear distinction in defining malaria, ie, "fever," & its severe complications, "convulsions & fits"; (3) decisions concerning treatment were usually made, with input from the family (especially grandparents), by the husbands (where they existed); & (4) treatment involved traditional medicine more frequently than the use of a modern health facility & services. 2 References. Adapted from the source document.