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Household responses to malaria: cost implications in Anantigha area of Calabar South lga of Cross river state, Nigeria
Abstract
A study of household responses in terms of types and costs of treatment of malaria was carried out in Anantigha area of Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State. A total of 180 households were
involved in the survey. Households had an average of 25 episodes of malaria per year with treatment costing an average of 10% of the total household income. The people had a good knowledge of the disease with resultant prompt response to malaria. Preventive measures include, use of insecticides and mosquito nets. Out of the 108 persons interviewed in the survey, 51% engaged in self medication, 28% used hospitals and health centres and 11% used traditional methods (use of herbs and roots) and 10% did noting since they could not afford the cost. Lthe results show
that the malaria parasite in the area is Plasmodium falciparum. Although malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, the costs of treatment has not been well documented. Knowledge of the cost of treatment and health-care seeking behaviour of people will form baseline data for more research in the control of malaria in the community.
involved in the survey. Households had an average of 25 episodes of malaria per year with treatment costing an average of 10% of the total household income. The people had a good knowledge of the disease with resultant prompt response to malaria. Preventive measures include, use of insecticides and mosquito nets. Out of the 108 persons interviewed in the survey, 51% engaged in self medication, 28% used hospitals and health centres and 11% used traditional methods (use of herbs and roots) and 10% did noting since they could not afford the cost. Lthe results show
that the malaria parasite in the area is Plasmodium falciparum. Although malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, the costs of treatment has not been well documented. Knowledge of the cost of treatment and health-care seeking behaviour of people will form baseline data for more research in the control of malaria in the community.