OBJECTIVES

Malaria is considered as one of the deadliest diseases in the world, putting an estimated 3.4 billion people at risk annually. Despite widespread availability of malaria testing and treatment with ACT’s in most facilities in Cameroon, and recent guidelines from the WHO recommending parasitological confirmation of suspected cases, symptomatic diagnosis remains routine in more than 50% of consultations. This study aims at identifying the malaria treatment seeking habits in a rural community in Cameroon, and assessing the relationship between various treatment seeking habits and cost of malaria case management at household levels in the community.

METHODS

It was a cross-sectional study. A two staged random sampling method was used to collect data from households through the household heads using structured questionnaires. Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) were used to test all household members present.

RESULTS

A prevalence of 31% was recorded in the population. The results estimate that it costs on average 36.81150 USD to treat a case of uncomplicated malaria at household levels in the community. In terms of treatment seeking habits, an estimate of 58.7% of people seek treatment at the wrong time (>24hrs) after presenting with symptoms, 52.2% did not seek treatment at the appropriate place when sick and 55% received treatment without parasitological confirmation. More so, 54.3% of respondents did not take the appropriate malaria medication (ACT) when sick. Comparisons showed that healthcare costs were relatively cheaper when seeking appropriate treatment compared to not doing so with an estimated difference of 15.7298 USD.

CONCLUSIONS

Rural communities in Cameroon still pose considerable problems in relation to treatment seeking habits thereby increasing the burden of malaria at household level and the country given that most households live on less than $1 a day. It is therefore critical that policy targets improving perceptions and treatment seeking behaviours in rural communities.