Malumfashi Endemic Diseases Research Project XVII

Abstract

A knowledge-attitude-practice survey was undertaken in 1977 on a random sample of 255 mothers of children in the malaria study of the Endemic Diseases Research Project at Malumfashi, northern Nigeria. Attention was directed at important illnesses prevalent in the community and at factors related to fertility. Malumfashi would seem to represent a conservative society espousing traditional values, though outside influences are having an effect. Treatment for the common conditions of fever, diarrhoea, marasmus and measles was a mixture of traditional and Western, although what little knowledge existed about the prevention of disease preferred Western techniques. Foods such as meat, eggs and fish, which Western teaching regards as important, were not considered so, but reliance largely on guineacorn meant that most nutritional needs were met. Many of the food preferences in different disease or health states were sensible.