Perceptions about the aetilogy, treatment and prevention of convulsions in under-five children in Rumphi.

This paper, based on an ethnographic study carried out in western Rumphi, examines people's perceptions about the aetiology, treatment and prevention of convulsions in under-five children. Both old and young women attributed convulsions to the eating of eggs by under-five children and acts of witchcraft. However, young women, probably because of their higher level of educational attainment and their attendance of the health education sessions conducted by health surveillance assistants, also interpreted convulsions as serious forms of malaria. As regards prevention of convulsions, informants mentioned traditional methods such as the use of incisions and wearing of amulets, and that children should not eat eggs. Because of the attribution of convulsions to witchcraft and such other culturally related-causes, most informants said that treatment for this illness is first sought from traditional healers, and biomedicine is only sought when the situation worsens. The delay in seeking therapy for convulsing children from modern medical facilities (mainly because of culturally perceived causes and modes of prevention) diminishes chances of the survival of such children. The knowledge of such community perceptions about convulsions is necessary as it can better inform the design and implementation of health education programmes.