An Exploration of Malaria Medication Decisions Making Process in Tanzania: A Case of Mbeya Region

Abstract

Background of the Research ProblemThe treatment and control of malaria pose a serious challenge. Yet, access to prompt and effective malaria treatment, a foundation of any malaria control strategy, is sub-optimal in many settings. An important part of strategies for combating malaria is reducing mortality and morbidity through early diagnosis and prompt treatment (Rønn, 1998) as cited by Kisawike (2015). This will, however, be influenced by factors related to cost, availability and cultural beliefs about the causes and effective cures (Oreagbaet al., 2005). The epidemiological, medicinal and entomological aspects of malaria and its consequences for the social and economic outlook of countries in which it is endemic are well documented (Rodriguez,1993). People seek treatment for malaria from a wide range of providers, including pharmacies, formal health centres/hospitals/dispensaries and traditional medicines. However, there are many problems with the treatment provisions. Hence, factors influencing malaria medication decision making process need to be investigated.Reducing the human infectivity of the malaria parasite through early and effective treatment is still challenging. Different studies in Tanzania and other African countries on effective and prompt malaria treatment identified a number of challenges to malaria treatment in relation to health systems. The challenges identified were barriers to the successful malaria case management due to poor adherence to drug regimes, and underdosage in many households because of poverty and the fact that clinical cure of fever is what matters to many individuals (Mboeraet al., 2002); stock-out of the anti-malarial remedies especially in the public health centres (