Table 1

Causes of fever mentioned by caregivers

Cause

Frequency by women (No of FGDs N = 8)

Frequency by men (No of FGDs N = 7)

Malaria

8

7

Cough

6

1

Teething

5

1

Sneezing/fluenza

3

1

Pneumonia

2

2

Anemia

2

0

Immunization

1

0

Diarrhoea

1

0

Other diseases

0

1

Vaginal growth (warts)

6

4

Vaginal itching

4

2

Coldness

4

5

Vomiting

4

0

Persistent crying

3

0

Malnutrition

2

2

Not bathing the child

1

2

Headache

1

2

Falling down during play

1

1

Cloudy atmosphere

1

1

Poor sanitation in the home

0

1

Improper flow of blood

1

0

Playing in the dust

1

0

Playing in water

1

1

Eating unboiled food

0

1

Soaked in rains

0

1

Mwana-mphepo

2

1

Cham'mimba

2

0

Chibwana et al. Malaria Journal 2009 8:219   doi:10.1186/1475-2875-8-219