[Management of child fever in the battle against malaria in Brazzaville].

A cross sectional study on the diagnostic and therapeutic practices of health staff and mothers with regard to fever was carried out in the urban area of Brazzaville from the 12th to the 20th of April 1997. 390 children were included in the sample. Children were aged under five years, had suffered from fever 15 days prior to the survey and were treated at home or in a health centre with the most currently used drugs against malaria, results of the questionnaire indicated that those symptoms best recognised by mothers are fever (85.8%), asthenia (79.9%), chills (21.1%), vomiting (25.1%) and diarrhoea (10.9%). Chloroquine is the most used drug at home (66%) and amodiaquine (34.5%) in health centres. Drugs are mainly supplied by private drugstores (67.9%) and street vendors (19.1%). Management of fever requires proper training of health staff and good communication between health personnel and the target population.