Socio-economic Burden of Malaria in Zeghie Peninsula, ( West Gojjam Zone, Amhara National Regional State, J Northwestern Ethiopia
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Date
2007-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the socia-economic burden o( malaria in Zeghie
peninsula. To do this, a combination of quantitative and qualitative research techniques
was ernployed at two kebeles in the peninsula. One hundred and .fifty three household
heads of both sexes were interviewed. Data collection tools, like surveying, .focus group
discussion, key in(ormant interview and .filed observations were used in carrying out this
study. As common problems in developing countries, various types of in(ectious diseases
were most Fequently diagnosed in the clinic in the peninsula. O( all other health
problems malaria wasfound to be the most important parasitic disease in the selling and
nearby rural farming communities. The major socia-economic impaci of malaria is
responsible for the reduction of the labour force o(families, obstructing education.
disruption (j( cultural values (indirect costs), and worsening o( health condition 0/ the
community (direct cost). It was found that the indirect cost (j( malaria illness accounted
as a loss (j(mean average 365.28 Birr, which is 22.46% o/the mean annual income (j/ a
household. Besides, the direct cost accounted a mean average o( /30.11 Birr (8.68%) (jf
the household 's annual income. The aftermath of malaria illness was also envisaged in
the study area as low birth weight, still birth, induced abortion, and maternity deaths
related to pregnancy. Even afier recovery Fom malaria, the study community encounters
anemia, visual and hearing impairments, under nourishment (due to loss (j( appetite), and
gastric. problem. The disease has also a negative impact on education per(ormance o(
stucients sllch as school absenteeism and dropout. Under treated malaria patients in the
peninsula were forced to disregard their cultural as well as religious values in abslaining
fasting seasons and changed their feeding habit. Due to the relatively beller literacy rate
and level (j( education among the community, the awareness about malaria has seemingly
improved. However, fill'ther effort has remained so as to decrease the socia-economic
impacts o( malaria on the community. In turn, this could be the other side a/taking a
palliative measure to alleviate poverty in the selling as well as in the country at large.
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Keywords
Socio-economic Burden