Instructor: Prof. R. Britwum

Project: Home Management of Malaria

            Moving studies directly into individual's homes, the student will be given the opportunity to interview malaria patients in Accra.  Currently, Prof. R. Britwum is working with the World Health Organization on a study of Malaria, as he will be able to utilize his developments on this subject by providing thorough background information before the student begins family studies.  Exploring the social, financial, and cultural aspects of malaria and its effects upon its victims, the student will explore how individuals and families deal with Malaria in the home.  Children's health will be focused on, as it will be crucial to understand the parent's educational background with Malaria, financial restrictions, and misconceptions of the severity of their child's infection.  The environmental dimension of Malaria and its effects could be a considerable portion of the student's focus, as they could explore problems with drainage, housing, sanitation, and lack of preventative measures, such as misquitoe netting above one's bed.  The student will attempt to link the private sector with family caretakers, exploring the pharmaceutical dimension of Malaria.

Among several other questions, the following could be explored:

Within what groups is Malaria most prevalent? What social and religious conditions make this the case?

How do individual families cope with Malaria infections amongst family members?

Is one gender or age group more proned to detracting Malaria?  Why?  What measures could be taken to target this group?

What environmental factors contribute to the spread of Malaria?

How do pharmacies advise mothers?  What form of education is necessary?

Should drugs be 'dashed' (given) to mothers who cannot afford them?

How can trust be established for poor mothers in order to provide a financial support system?

How early is Malaria detected in an infected patient?  How often is the diagnosis correct?  What other disease symptoms do actual Malaria patients have, and how does the misdiagnosis perpetuate the spread of Malaria?