Beliefs and traditional treatment of malaria in Kishe settlement area, southwest Ethiopia.

Kishe settlement area southwest Ethiopia, is endemic for malaria, and malaria-related morbidity and mortality are important public health problems. Malaria beliefs and practices are often related to culture, and can influence the effectiveness of control strategies. This study assessed attitude and practices relative to causation, treatment, prevention and control of malaria, and documented traditional malaria treatment practices and remedies, in order to provide baseline data for control program planning and further investigation. A cross-sectional study was conducted in December 1997 by interviewing 254 randomly selected study subjects 85 indigenous and 169 settlers. Eighty three percent of 254 respondents attributed the cause of malaria infection to dirt and rubbish. Ranking of vector control measures was poor, with 77% prioritizing cleaning dirt and rubbish, while only 36% mentioned drainage of swampy areas. Ninety eight percent accepted Dichlorodiphenyltrichlroethane (DDT) house spraying. The prevalence of clinical malaria attacks was 77% and communities had good knowledge about malaria morbidity and mortality. Forty three percent had used traditional medicine for malaria, for reasons including greater accessibility (82%), low cost (48%), lack of awareness about modern medicine (25%) and belief that traditional medicine is better (7%). Most are well informed about malaria morbidity and mortality, understood about the use of DDT spraying and have good treatment seeking behavior but practice of prevention and concept about causation prevention, and control of malaria is poor. It is wise to put emphasis on health education particularly on preventive aspects. Malaria control technicians and environmental health technicians, who closely interact with the community could be used for this purpose. The common traditional treatments for malaria could be further investigated for their effects on malaria parasites and/or symptomatic relief of clinical illness.