Fever prevalence and management among three rural communities in the North West Zone, Somalia.
Between March and August 2008 we undertook 2 cross-sectional surveys among 1375 residents of 3 randomly selected villages in the district of Gebiley in the North-West Zone, Somalia. We investigated for the presence of malaria infection and the period prevalence of self-reported fever 14 days prior to both surveys. All blood samples examined were negative for both species of Plasmodium. The period prevalence of 14-day fevers was 4.8% in March and 0.6% in August; the majority of fevers (84.4%) were associated with other symptoms including cough, running nose and sore throat; 48/64 cases had resolved by the day of interview (mean duration 5.4 days). Only 18 (37.5%) fever cases were managed at a formal health care facility: 7 within 24 hours and 10 within 24-72 hours of onset. None of the fevers were investigated for malaria; they were treated with antibiotics, antipyretics and vitamins.
Youssef
R M
RM
Malaria Public Health and Epidemiology Group, Centre for Geographic Medicine, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Collaborative Programme, Nairobi, Kenya. randayoussef@link.net
Alegana
V A
VA
Amran
J
J
Noor
A M
AM
Snow
R W
RW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006306:Health Surveys; D006798:Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D012998:Somalia / Q000453:epidemiology
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