Masangwi Salule Joseph, Grimason Anthony Martin, Morse Tracy Dawn, Kazembe Lawrence, Ferguson Neil, Jabu George Christopher
Centre for Water, Sanitation, Health and Appropriate Technology Development (WASHTED), University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, P/B 303, Blantyre, Malawi.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2012 Mar;9(3):955-69. doi: 10.3390/ijerph9030955. Epub 2012 Mar 16.
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.
在马拉维南部开展了一项调查，以研究母亲们对腹泻的认知模式。该地区腹泻发病率估计为24.4%，从统计学角度看高于全国平均水平17%。利用调查中分层构建的数据，采用多层次变化阈值分析来确定腹泻病因、临床特征及预防知识的预测因素。结果显示，母亲们的整体知识呈现出强烈的分层结构模式，不同社区之间存在差异。接受过小学或中学教育的尽责母亲比未接受任何正规教育的母亲更有可能在腹泻知识方面给出更多正确答案。来自没有健康监测助理社区的尽责母亲给出更多正确答案的可能性较小。结果表明，不同社区之间在腹泻知识方面确实存在差异，并且表明基础正规教育对于尽责母亲理解疾病很重要。结果还揭示了健康监测助理在农村社区所产生的积极影响。
