Study of Barriers to De-worming in Uganda Highlights Fears of Medication

Communication research on de-worming in Uganda

CABER was commissioned by the Nutrition and Early Childhood Development project in Uganda through a loan from the World Bank to conduct a study of local knowledge and treatment of worms. The study served as the basis for planning a strategy and programs for encouraging regular de-worming of young children. Eighteen focus groups were conducted in communities throughout the country. Topics included salience of worms as a childhood health problem; recognition of symptoms; community knowledge of causes, prevention, and treatment of worms; and barriers to regular de-worming.

The report, Local Knowledge and Treatment of Worms in Uganda (Baume, 1999), summarizes the results and provides recommendations. Briefly, the study found that worms are already considered an important childhood health problem and general knowledge of symptoms, causes, and means of prevention are adequate overall. Therefore, the project should easily be able to build on this base of knowledge to reinforce key information about worms and motivate people to take advantage of de-worming opportunities. Treatment knowledge is weaker, and messages about dosage and regularity will need to be given.

The most essential problem to address, however, is the prevalent fear that the drugs are too strong for children, and may even kill them. There are specific barriers associated with providing drugs via government-organized health days, as many stories were recited about children dying after attending National Immunization Days. Further, in accordance with standard behavior change strategies, there needs to be adequate promotion of de-worming days and attention to reducing time and money costs for participants.

Client: World Bank

 

[Types of research]   [Major areas of focus]   [Clients and funders]   [Center staff]   [Projects and studies]

[Home]   [Contact us]   [AED Home]   [Search]