Dust or disease? Perceptions of influenza in rural Southern Malawi

Phiri, Mackwellings, Gooding, Kate ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4926-0287, Peterson, Ingrid, Mambule, Ivan, Nundwe, Spencer, McMorrow, Meredith and Desmond, Nicola ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2874-8569 (2019) 'Dust or disease? Perceptions of influenza in rural Southern Malawi'. PLoS ONE, Vol 14, Issue 4, e0208155.

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Abstract

Influenza virus infections cause between 291 243 and 645 832 deaths annually, with the highest burden in low-income settings. Research in high-income countries has examined public understanding of influenza, but there is little information on views and behaviours about influenza in low-income countries. We explored communities’ ideas about the severity, causes, prevention and treatment of influenza in Chikwawa district, Malawi. Methods We conducted 64 in-depth interviews with parents of children aged <5 years, and 7 focus groups with community health workers, parents, and traditional healers. Data were analysed thematically and using a framework matrix to compare views between groups. Results Respondents held varied ideas about influenza, and many were uncertain about its causes and treatment. Some parents, traditional healers and health workers thought influenza was not severe because they felt it did not cause death or limit activities, but others disagreed. Many saw influenza as a symptom of other conditions, especially malaria and pneumonia, rather than as a disease of its own. Most mentioned dust as the main cause of influenza and believed influenza could be prevented by cleaning the home thoroughly. Treatment seeking for influenza followed different stages, usually starting with home remedies followed by purchasing drugs from groceries and then visiting a health centre. Seeking a clinician tended to be triggered by severe symptoms like high fever or difficulty breathing, and suspicions of malaria or pneumonia. Community health workers provide health education for communities, but some lacked understanding of influenza. Conclusion Our findings suggest uncertainty about the causes and control of influenza among parents and varied levels of understanding among health providers. Strengthening the capacity of community health workers to provide relevant information about influenza prevention and treatment could address parents’ interest in further information and support informed health seeking and engagement with future influenza interventions.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	W General Medicine. Health Professions > Health Services. Patients and Patient Advocacy > W 85 Patients. Attitude and compliance WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries WC Communicable Diseases > Virus Diseases > Viral Respiratory Tract Infections. Respirovirus Infections > WC 515 Human influenza
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > Clinical Sciences Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208155
Depositing User:	Stacy Murtagh
Date Deposited:	23 Apr 2019 10:27
Last Modified:	25 Apr 2019 08:11
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/10243

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