Pattern of Maternal Knowledge and Its Implications for Diarrhoea Control in Southern Malawi: Multilevel Thresholds of Change Analysis

Salule Joseph Masangwi, Anthony Martin Grimason, Tracy Dawn Morse, Lawrence Kazembe, Neil Ferguson and George Christopher Jabu
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Salule Joseph Masangwi: Centre for Water, Sanitation, Health and Appropriate Technology Development (WASHTED), University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, P/B 303, Blantyre, Malawi
Anthony Martin Grimason: Centre for Water, Sanitation, Health and Appropriate Technology Development (WASHTED), University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, P/B 303, Blantyre, Malawi
Tracy Dawn Morse: Centre for Water, Sanitation, Health and Appropriate Technology Development (WASHTED), University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, P/B 303, Blantyre, Malawi
Lawrence Kazembe: Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Malawi, Chancellor College, P.O. Box 280, Zomba, Malawi
Neil Ferguson: Environmental Health, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NG, UK
George Christopher Jabu: Environmental Health Department, University of Malawi, P/B 303, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi

IJERPH, 2012, vol. 9, issue 3, 1-15

Abstract: A survey was conducted in Southern Malawi to examine the pattern of mothers’ knowledge on diarrhoea. Diarrhoea morbidity in the district is estimated at 24.4%, statistically higher than the national average at 17%. Using hierarchically built data from a survey, a multilevel threshold of change analysis was used to determine predictors of knowledge about diarrhoeal aetiology, clinical features, and prevention. The results show a strong hierarchical structured pattern in overall maternal knowledge revealing differences between communities. Responsible mothers with primary or secondary school education were more likely to give more correct answers on diarrhoea knowledge than those without any formal education. Responsible mothers from communities without a health surveillance assistant were less likely to give more correct answers. The results show that differences in diarrhoeal knowledge do exist between communities and demonstrate that basic formal education is important in responsible mother’s understanding of diseases. The results also reveal the positive impact health surveillance assistants have in rural communities.

Keywords: responsible mother’s knowledge; pattern of variation; diarrhoea control; multilevel threshold of change; southern-tip of Malawi (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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