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Pattern of Maternal Knowledge and Its Implications for Diarrhoea Control in Southern Malawi: Multilevel Thresholds of Change Analysis

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Listed:
  • Salule Joseph Masangwi

    (Centre for Water, Sanitation, Health and Appropriate Technology Development (WASHTED), University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, P/B 303, Blantyre, Malawi
    Environmental Health, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NG, UK
    Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, P/B 303, Blantyre 3, Malawi)

  • Anthony Martin Grimason

    (Centre for Water, Sanitation, Health and Appropriate Technology Development (WASHTED), University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, P/B 303, Blantyre, Malawi
    Environmental Health, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NG, UK
    Scotland Chikhwawa Health Initiative (SCHI), P.O. Box 30376, Blantyre 3, Malawi
    Africa Academy for Environmental Health, P.O. Box 15574, Sinoville 0129, South Africa)

  • Tracy Dawn Morse

    (Centre for Water, Sanitation, Health and Appropriate Technology Development (WASHTED), University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, P/B 303, Blantyre, Malawi
    Environmental Health, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NG, UK
    Scotland Chikhwawa Health Initiative (SCHI), P.O. Box 30376, Blantyre 3, Malawi
    Africa Academy for Environmental Health, P.O. Box 15574, Sinoville 0129, South Africa)

  • Lawrence Kazembe

    (Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Malawi, Chancellor College, P.O. Box 280, Zomba, Malawi)

  • Neil Ferguson

    (Environmental Health, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NG, UK)

  • George Christopher Jabu

    (Environmental Health Department, University of Malawi, P/B 303, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi)

Abstract

A survey was conducted in Southern Malawi to examine the pattern of mothers’ knowledge on diarrhoea. Diarrhoea morbidity in the district is estimated at 24.4%, statistically higher than the national average at 17%. Using hierarchically built data from a survey, a multilevel threshold of change analysis was used to determine predictors of knowledge about diarrhoeal aetiology, clinical features, and prevention. The results show a strong hierarchical structured pattern in overall maternal knowledge revealing differences between communities. Responsible mothers with primary or secondary school education were more likely to give more correct answers on diarrhoea knowledge than those without any formal education. Responsible mothers from communities without a health surveillance assistant were less likely to give more correct answers. The results show that differences in diarrhoeal knowledge do exist between communities and demonstrate that basic formal education is important in responsible mother’s understanding of diseases. The results also reveal the positive impact health surveillance assistants have in rural communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Salule Joseph Masangwi & Anthony Martin Grimason & Tracy Dawn Morse & Lawrence Kazembe & Neil Ferguson & George Christopher Jabu, 2012. "Pattern of Maternal Knowledge and Its Implications for Diarrhoea Control in Southern Malawi: Multilevel Thresholds of Change Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:9:y:2012:i:3:p:955-969:d:16716
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. A. Fielding, 1999. "Why use arbitrary points scores?: ordered categories in models of educational progress," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 162(3), pages 303-328.
    2. Nieto, Tatiana & Méndez, Fabian & Carrasquilla, Gabriel, 1999. "Knowledge, beliefs and practices relevant for malaria control in an endemic urban area of the Colombian Pacific," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 49(5), pages 601-609, September.
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    1. Sultan Alghadeer & Wajid Syed & Abdulaziz Alhossan & Ziyad Alrabiah & Salmeen D. Babelghaith & Mohamed N. Al Arifi & Abdulrahman Alwhaibi, 2021. "Assessment of Saudi Mother’s Knowledge and Attitudes towards Childhood Diarrhea and Its Management," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-8, April.

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