Exploring health beliefs about Malaria and Malaria treatment in a South African context

Abstract

Background to the Study: Malaria education programmes and health promotion interventions in South Africa have been generally successful; however, knowledge alone does not necessarily lead to behaviour change. It is still unclear why some individuals seek conventional treatment for malaria, while others do not. It is thus essential to attempt to understand the beliefs involved in affecting these individuals’ health-related decisions and behaviours if more effective, contextually appropriate malaria intervention is to be delivered. With that in mind, this study explored individuals’ beliefs regarding malaria infection and the treatment or non-treatment of malaria, through the following questions (1) What are community members’ health beliefs about malaria and malaria treatment in the northern Vhembe district, Limpopo Province? (2) What factors contribute to the development of health beliefs about malaria and malaria treatment in the northern Vhembe district, Limpopo Province? Research Methodology: This study applied Codebook Thematic Analysis to inductively and deductively analyse interview responses from three purposively selected participant groups which comprised nurses, treatment-seeking community members, and community health workers living in the northern Vhembe District, Limpopo. Themes were then interpreted through the Integrated Behavioural Model and the Protection Motivation Theory, which provided a theoretical lens for the study. Results: The study results noted numerous health beliefs and material conditions linked to treatment behaviours in the study areas. Specifically, factors influencing conventional treatment behaviour in the sample group included knowledge of malaria and malaria treatment, family responsibility, trust in nurses, resource-related treatment barriers, and legal status. Alternatively, beliefs about witchcraft, religious beliefs, myths about malaria and malaria treatment, and mistrust of the conventional healthcare system were factors influencing alternative treatment-seeking or conventional treatment avoidance. These findings contribute to the broader malaria literature and support the development of targeted interventions addressing malaria treatment behaviour and adherence in the Vhembe District.