Research
Malaria treatment-seeking behaviour and related factors of Wa ethnic minority in Myanmar: a cross-sectional study
1 Yunan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Puer, 665000, China
2 People’s Hospital of Taikang County, Henan Province, China
3 Mengmao County Hospital, Shan Special Region II, Myanmar
Malaria Journal 2012, 11:417 doi:10.1186/1475-2875-11-417
Published: 14 December 2012Abstract
Background
In Southeast Asia, data on malaria treatment-seeking behaviours and related affecting factors are rare. The population of the Wa ethnic in Myanmar has difficulty in accessing formal health care. To understand malaria treatment-seeking behaviour and household-affecting factors of the Wa people, a cross-sectional study carried out in Shan Special Region II, Myanmar.
Methods
The two methods, questionnaire-based household surveys to household heads and in-depth interviews to key informants, were carried out independently. The proportion of treatment-seeking patterns was calculated. Logistic regression was used to determine affecting factors of treatment-seeking. Qualitative data were analysed by using Text Analysis Markup System.
Results
Overall, 87.5% of the febrile population sought treatment, but only 32.0% did so within 24 hours. The proportion accessing the retail sector (79.6%) was statistically significant higher (P<0.0001) than accessing the public sector (10.6%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified family income, distances from a health facility, family decision and patient characteristics being independently associated with delayed malaria treatment.
Conclusion
Malaria treatment-seeking behaviour is not appropriate, and affecting factors include health service systems, social and cultural factors in Wa State of Myanmar.
