rural-urban differences in maternal responses to childhood fever in south east nigeria城乡差异孕产妇对儿童发烧在尼日利亚东南部的反应.pdfVIP

Rural-Urban Differences in Maternal Responses to Childhood Fever in South East Nigeria 1 2 3 4 Benjamin S. C. Uzochukwu *, Emmanuel O. Onwujekwe , Chima A. Onoka , Maduka D. Ughasoro 1 Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria, 2 Department of Health Administration and Management, College of Medicine University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria, 3 Department of Community Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria, 4 Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria Abstract Background: Childhood fevers due to malaria remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality among under-five children in Nigeria. The degree of vulnerability perceived by mothers will affect their perception of the severity and threat of their child’s fever and the patterns of health care use. This study was undertaken to compare maternal responses to childhood fever in urban and rural areas of Enugu, south east Nigeria. Methodology/Principal Findings: Data was collected with pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaires from 276 and 124 urban and rural households respectively. In each household, only one woman aged 15–49 years who had lived in each of the urban and rural communities for at least one year and had at least one child less than 5 years old was interviewed. Malaria was mentioned as the commonest cause of childhood fevers. Rural mothers were more likely to recognize danger signs and symptoms than urban mothers. Rural mothers use more of informal than formal health services, and there is more home management of the fever with urban than rural mothers. Chloroquine, ACT, SP and Paracetamol are the main d