Knowledge and treatment of malaria in rural Senegal
Faye, O.; Lo, M.; Diop, B.; Gaye, O.; Bah, I.B.; Dieng, T.; Dieng, Y.; N'Dir, O.; Diallo, S.
Medecine Tropicale Revue du Corps de Sante Colonial 57(2): 161-164
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-682X PMID: 9304010 Document Number: 471080
Primary health care strategies against malaria as developed by the WHO and put into effect in Senegal in its national antimalarial program depend considerably upon the early identification and proper management of the condition, such as effective chemoprophylaxis among pregnant women. A survey was conducted of 900 household heads living in 12 villages in the M¿Backe district of Senegal to learn about their diagnostic and treatment practices related to malaria. Public health care facilities such as dispensaries were cited by 72.6% of the heads as their first resort for treatment. Chloroquine was noted as the first-line antimalarial by 23% of respondents who practiced self-medication, but inappropriate doses were noted in 60% of cases. 52.3% of respondents practiced chemoprophylaxis, usually with chloroquine, with such chemoprophylaxis practiced most often in households whose heads were relatively better educated. 65.8% of heads obtained antimalarial drugs from public health care units, but drugs were bought on the market in 15.7% of cases. These findings indicate that the Bamako Initiative should be reinforced and that a campaign should be launched to teach people living in rural areas about malaria.