Few studies regarding treatment seeking behaviour related to Malaria have been conducted in Uganda, and most of the studies regarding use of mosquito nets that have been conducted are quantitative. There is thus a need for qualitative studies for a deeper understanding of the complex issue of coping with malaria in a resource limited setting. The aim of this study is to understand sociocultural and structural factors influencing the coping with malaria in rural Uganda. Focus is on the local experiences, perceptions and hardships regarding seeking treatment for malaria and preventative measures like the use of mosquito nets. A theoretical framework based on Political ecology of health, with a focus on human agency, is used to analyse these issues. The village Nyakasojo in Kasese district was selected for a field study. The main source of information was open-ended interviews conducted in March 2020. The study showed that the main reason for not using mosquito nets was lack of access to nets and easily torn nets, rather than unwillingness to use mosquito nets. Further, the study showed that the unequal access to healthcare in combination with livelihood vulnerability forces people to wait before seeking treatment and/or taking half doses of antimalarials, probably leading to unnecessary malaria transmission. A more holistic approach to malaria control would be beneficial, including the aspect of treatment in addition to the present narrower focus on prevention.

A quantitative, explorative, descriptive contextual study was conducted to determine to what extent the malaria control measures proposed by the Tanzanian government had been implemented by parents of children between the ages 0-5 years who lived in Bukumbi village. Structured interviews were conducted with 40 parents of children who had been admitted for malaria treatment during 2007, and the data analysed by computer. Although respondents had a basic knowledge of preventive measures they did not implement actions preventing the anopheles mosquitoes’ breeding in this tropical area. The vicious cycle of poverty, malaria episodes and lack of proper malaria health education hampered the implementation of control measures such as the spraying of houses with insecticides. Although the government of Tanzania subsidises insecticide treated bed nets the respondents did not maintain these nets and did not renew the insecticide treatment of these nets. The incidence of malaria is unlikely to decline in the Bukumbi village unless all identified factors are addressed. / Health Studies / M.A.

A quantitative, explorative, descriptive contextual study was conducted to determine to what extent the malaria control measures proposed by the Tanzanian government had been implemented by parents of children between the ages 0-5 years who lived in Bukumbi village. Structured interviews were conducted with 40 parents of children who had been admitted for malaria treatment during 2007, and the data analysed by computer. Although respondents had a basic knowledge of preventive measures they did not implement actions preventing the anopheles mosquitoes’ breeding in this tropical area. The vicious cycle of poverty, malaria episodes and lack of proper malaria health education hampered the implementation of control measures such as the spraying of houses with insecticides. Although the government of Tanzania subsidises insecticide treated bed nets the respondents did not maintain these nets and did not renew the insecticide treatment of these nets. The incidence of malaria is unlikely to decline in the Bukumbi village unless all identified factors are addressed. / Health Studies / M.A.