title: Health seeking behavior after fever onset in a malaria-endemic area of Malawi.
abstract: Informal sources of care may lead to ineffective use of antimalarial drugs. A survey conducted in Malawi estimated the frequency of use of informal and formal services, medications, and household costs. A total of 508 household interviews were conducted. Treatment with an antimalarial was reported in 24% of young children accessing the informal sector and in 91% accessing formal services. Informal care was associated with shorter travel and waiting times, a lower proportion of carers or feverish adults missing work or studies and losing earnings, and a lower proportion of older children missing studies or work. Total out of pocket costs of fever episodes constitutes between 9% and 14% in young children and 18% in adults of their total available resources. Patients may perceive informal services to be associated with opportunity cost advantages; however, these may be associated with health risks of inadequate prescribing, particularly in young children.
authors.affiliation: University of Liverpool Management School, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ruben E Mujica
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.forename: Antonieta Medina
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lara
authors.forename: Esthery D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Kunkwenzu
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Lalloo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D005334:Fever / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008295:Malawi / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials