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Helping Caregivers Understand Signs of Malaria

Côte d’Ivoire, Sub-Saharan Africa

A study conducted in Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Benin examines why caregivers delay seeking treatment for children with fever, a symptom often linked to malaria. The research highlights the role of structural factors, social norms, and interpersonal communication in influencing timely care-seeking behavior.

Behavior Goal

Encourage caregivers to seek treatment for children with fever within the first 24 hours.

Implementers & Partners

  • Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP)

Key Takeaways

  • 1Structural factors, such as access to local health facilities, play a significant role in whether caregivers seek timely treatment for children with fever.
  • 2Social norms, such as whether seeking care is common in the community, influence behavior.
  • 3Interpersonal communication, such as discussing malaria with family or friends, increases the likelihood of caregivers seeking prompt care.
  • 4The study used data from the Malaria Behavior Surveys conducted in 13 African countries under the CCP-led Breakthrough ACTION project.
  • 5Malaria remains a leading cause of child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among children under five.

Sources

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