Care-Seeking Behavior for Fever in Zambezi Region, Namibia: A Cross-Sectional Survey

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Investigator: Caitlin Moe, MS
Sponsor: Global Health Sciences Education

Location(s): Namibia

Description

Namibia has reduced the number of reported malaria cases by over 99%, from 538,512 in 2000 to 4,745 in 2013, with a goal of eliminating malaria by 2020. Nevertheless, malaria persists in the Zambezi region located in the extreme northeast of the Namibia, largely due to the tropical climate, high levels of rainfall, and porous international borders. In pre-elimination settings such as Namibia, it is critical to identify and treat all malaria cases. Fever is the most recognizable symptom of malaria; therefore to further elimination efforts, all febrile individuals should visit a health provider to be tested for malaria. This study aims to explore some of the barriers and facilitators to care-seeking behavior for fever in Zambezi Region. 

Mentor: Adam Bennett, PhD, MA