The World Health Organization estimates that about 3.3 billion people are at risk of malaria, and people living in poor countries, particularly in Africa, are more likely to get the disease. The parasitic species that causes the most common malaria in Africa is the plasmodium falciparum.
Malaria is a common disease in Mozambique as a result of the hot, humid climate that provides the ideal conditions for mosquito growth and survival. High temperatures contribute to the development of malaria parasites in mosquitoes. It is estimated that around 96% of the Mozambican population lives in areas of high malaria transmission intensity and the parasite plasmodium falciparum accounts for 90% of malaria cases.
In Mozambique malaria is the primary cause of high morbidity and mortality rates in the country; children die more from malaria than from any other disease. This disease is responsible for 60% of all pediatric admissions, 40% of all consultations and 30% of all registered deaths in hospitals.
It is in this context that N'weti, an organization focused on Communication for Health, conducted this audience research with the aim of informing its actions of production of communication materials that aim to educate and inform communities about the prevention and treatment of malaria.
This report presents the results of formative research on malaria in Mozambique. The report is structured in seven parts: the first part deals with knowledge, including causes, symptoms and vulnerability to malaria. The following are described the prevention methods, which include the use of the mosquito net and the intradomiciliary spraying. Subsequently the experiences of the interviewees regarding malaria are presented. In the fourth part are listed several aspects associated with treatment, which include knowledge about the type of treatment, determinants of treatment demand, effectiveness, withdrawal of treatment and its consequences and what can be done to follow the medical recommendations . The following is the interviewees' knowledge about the relationship between malaria and HIV and AIDS. In the final part of the report an analysis of the presented data is made and, finally, the conclusions.
