The problems of a social survey in epidemiology: an experience from a Zambian rural community
Kaona, F.A.; Siziya, S.; Mushanga, M.
African Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences 19(3): 219-224
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0309-3913 PMID: 2120923 Document Number: 351449
A population segment was investigated in Kabinga, northern Zambia, in order to explore the use of biomedical ethnomedical health services and assess the knowledge of disease vectors. In this community schistosomiasis, malaria, anemia, and hookworm infestation was widespread. The population of 11 villages numbered 1097 people (545 males and 552 females) including 220 adults aged 15049. A WHO standardized questionnaire containing demographic and sociological questions was administered. The subjects were asked what action they would take when afflicted by malaria. The majority of 218 responders were women. The mean age for females was 35.2 years and for males it was 37.5 years. 4 responders did not know what to do if struck with malaria. Only .9% of both literate and illiterate adults indicated the use of African medicine in case of malaria. 62% of them went to the clinic or hospital for treatment during the last sickness episode. 29.2% of both genders did nothing, and only 2.4% of women turned to traditional medicine. 1 female could not recall what she did. 81% of the adult population attended either a clinic or a hospital for treatment during the previous 8 months. Most remembered using these facilities at least one (14 could not remember it). There was a significant correlation between refraining from the use of traditional medicine and utilization of the services of a clinic or hospital. Despite these findings, the answers were probably biased, because most women depend on their male counterparts for making decisions. Anthropologically oriented research methods could ensure reliability of data and reveal epidemiological problems in this community.