MACHAKOS PROJECT STUDIES - AGENTS AFFECTING HEALTH OF MOTHER AND CHILD IN A RURAL AREA OF KENYA .12. BELIEFS AND PRACTICES CONCERNING TREATMENT OF MEASLES AND ACUTE DIARRHEA AMONG THE AKAMBA

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 31  (1) , 139-148
Abstract
This sociological investigation, performed within the framework of a medical research project, determined what mothers believed about measles and diarrhea and what they did when their children contracted these diseases. Perceived etiological notions about measles and diarrhea influenced beliefs held and this led to their being classified among God''s diseases, a classification which influenced adherence to traditional practices and the acceptability to seek modern care. Mothers used modern medical care exclusively in 50% of measles cases and 63% of diarrhea cases. In 48% of mealses cases and 28% of diarrhea cases, mothers combined modern and indigenous care. Use of indigenous care was only relatively rare. Withholding of water and milk from children with measles was practiced by 62% of the mothers in the total sample. Variables like age and education did not influence the type of medical care mothers selected, but did influence use of certain traditional practices. Younger and better educated mothers followed these practices much less than older and less educated mothers.

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