Caregivers' home-based management of fever in Uganda

Abstract

Malaria is endemic in Uganda. The study attempted to determine how Ugandan caregivers managed home-based care of fever. Structured interviews were conducted with sixty caregivers of children under five. In 15 (25.0%) out of the 60 interviewed households, at least one child had reportedly died from malaria. Caregivers’ decisions were influenced by health education, family members, community leaders and other caregivers. Most caregivers knew about malaria, but lacked knowledge about its danger signs, and about the services of village drug distributors. Most caregivers initiated treatment for fever at home before taking the children to health units. Mosquito nets, indoor residual spraying and other malaria preventive measures were rarely used due to lack of funds. The recommendations include that anti-malaria drugs should always be available and accessible, the services of village drug distributors should be improved, health education should be enhanced, malaria preventive measures should be implemented and sustained.