Household responses to malaria: cost implications in Anantigha area of Calabar South lga of Cross river state, Nigeria

Abstract

A study of household responses in terms of types and costs of treatment of malaria was carried out in Anantigha area of Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State. A total of 180 households were
involved in the survey. Households had an average of 25 episodes of malaria per year with treatment costing an average of 10% of the total household income. The people had a good knowledge of the disease with resultant prompt response to malaria. Preventive measures include, use of insecticides and mosquito nets. Out of the 108 persons interviewed in the survey, 51% engaged in self medication, 28% used hospitals and health centres and 11% used traditional methods (use of herbs and roots) and 10% did noting since they could not afford the cost. Lthe results show
that the malaria parasite in the area is Plasmodium falciparum. Although malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, the costs of treatment has not been well documented. Knowledge of the cost of treatment and health-care seeking behaviour of people will form baseline data for more research in the control of malaria in the community.