Barriers to prompt and effective malaria treatment among malaria infected patients in Palaw township, Tanintharyi region, Myanmar

Authors

  • Zar Zar Naing College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Naowarat Kanchanakhan College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

Keywords:

Malaria, Effective malaria treatment, Myanmar

Abstract

Purpose - The aim of this study was to assess barriers (socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of malaria, behaviors related to malaria treatment and health system factors) regarding prompt and effective malaria treatment among malaria infected patients in Palaw Township, Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar.

Design/methodology/approach - A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2018 – March 2018 in 17 high risk malaria villages of Palaw Township. The study populations were 18 to 65 years old malaria infected patients. The total sample size of 204 malaria infected patients were selected randomly from each village proportionately. Face-to-face interview method was employed by using structured questionnaires.

Findings - Majority of respondents (85.8%) did not get prompt and effective malaria treatment within 24 hours due to barriers. There were statistically significant with socio-demographic characteristics (p-value <0.05), good knowledge of malaria (p-value < 0.001, AOR= 65.3, 95% CI), good behaviors related to treatment seeking (p-value = 0.021, AOR = 3.889, 95% CI), health system factors (p-value<0.05) and prompt and effective malaria treatment at 95% confidence interval.

Originality/value - The prompt and effective malaria treatment was influenced by socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of malaria, behaviors related to treatment seeking and health system factors. Enhancing the knowledge and promoting good behaviors about malaria should be implemented through health education sessions. Health system factors regarding health providers should be managed by the Local Health Authority.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. Malaria biology. Available from: https://wwwcdcgov/globalhealth

2. World Health Organization [WHO]. Myanmar: Towards more evidence-based national malaria treatment guidelines. WHO; 2015.

3. World Health Organization [WHO]. World malaria report 2016 (regional profile). Available from: http://www.who.int/malaria

4. World Health Organization [WHO]. World malairia report 2016. Geneva: WHO; 2016.

5. World Health Organization [WHO]. Malaria: About the WHO Global malaria programs. Available from: https://www.who.int/malaria/about_us/en/

6. World Health Organization [WHO]. Guidelines for the treatment of malaria. 3rd ed. Geneva: WHO; 2015.

7. Myanamar, National Malaria Control Program [NMCP], WHO-Myanmar. Malaria micro-stratification guideline. (WHO Technical Report Series No. 936). Geneva: WHO; 2006.

8. Myanamar, National Malaria Control Program [NMCP], WHO-Myanmar. Annual malaria report 2017. NMCP; 2017. (unpublished)

9. Myanamar, National Malaria Control Program [NMCP], WHO-Myanmar. Annual malaria report 2015. NMCP; 2015. (unpublished)

10. Myanamar, National Malaria Control Program [NMCP], WHO-Myanmar. Annual malaria report 2016. NMCP; 2016. (unpublished)

11. Ministry of Health and Sports [MoHS]. Myanmar National Health Plan 2017-2021: Executive summary dissemination in Nay Pyi Taw. MoHS; 2016.

12. Yamane T. Statistics: An introductory analysis. 3rd ed. New York: Harper and Row; 1973.

13. Chuma J, Okungu V, Molyneux C. Barriers to prompt and effective malaria treatment among the poorest population in Kenya. Malar J. 2010 May; 9: 144. doi: 10.1186/1475-2875-9-144

14. Chukwuocha UM, Okpanma AC, Chukwuocha AN, Nwakwuo GC. Social determinants of malaria treatment seeking time by mothers for children (0-5 Years) in South Eastern Nigeria. J Trop Dis. 2013; 3(1). doi: 10.4172/2329-891X.1000154

15. Olufunke F, Obafemi O. Ethnicity and child survival in Nigeria. African Population Studies. 2011; 25(1 Suppl.): 92-112.

16. Wittet S. Barriers to expanded malaria diagnosis and treatment. Washington, DC: MalariaCare; 2014.

17. Dhawan G, Joseph N, Pekow PS, Rogers CA, Poudel KC, Bulzacchelli MT. Malaria-related knowledge and prevention practices in four neighbourhoods in and around Mumbai, India: a cross-sectional study. Malar J. 2014 Aug; 13: 303. doi: 10.1186/1475-2875-13-303

18. Sabin LL, Rizal A, Brooks MI, Singh MP, Tuchman J, Wylie BJ, et al. Attitudes, Knowledge, and Practices Regarding Malaria Prevention and Treatment among Pregnant Women in Eastern India. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2010 Jun; 82(6): 1010-6. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0339

19. Silweya D. Barriers to prompt malaria diagnosis and effective treatment among children under five years of age in Mpika district. Texila International Journal of Public Health. 2016; 4(4): 1-12.

20. Uzochukwu BS, Onwujekwe OE. Socio-economic differences and health seeking behaviour for the diagnosis and treatment of malaria: a case study of four local government areas operating the Bamako initiative programme in south-east Nigeria. Int J Equity Health. 2004 Jun; 3(1): 6. doi: 10.1186/1475-9276-3-6

21. Htut NL, Wongsawass S, Mongkolchati A, Laosee O. Delay in Seeking Treatment among Adults with Malaria Experience in Shan State, Myanmar. Walailak J Sci Technol. 2016; 14(8): 655-62.

Downloads

Published

2018-12-21

How to Cite

Naing, Z. Z., & Kanchanakhan, N. (2018). Barriers to prompt and effective malaria treatment among malaria infected patients in Palaw township, Tanintharyi region, Myanmar. Journal of Health Research, 32(Suppl.1), S104-S111. Retrieved from https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jhealthres/article/view/164680

Issue

Section

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE