Table 1.
Demographic characteristics, health-seeking behaviour and health knowledge among individuals with fever 2 weeks prior to interview, Myanmar (N = 637)
| Characteristics | Urban (N = 315) | Rural (N = 322) | Total (N = 637) | p value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age of fever cases (years) | 0.033 | |||
| Under 5 | 65 (20.6) | 79 (24.5) | 144 (22.6) | |
| 5–14 | 100 (31.8) | 84 (26.1) | 184 (28.9) | |
| 15–45 | 73 (23.2) | 99 (30.8) | 172 (27.0) | |
| 46 and above | 77 (24.4) | 60 (18.6) | 137 (21.5) | |
| Gender of fever cases | 0.688 | |||
| Male | 138 (43.8) | 136 (42.2) | 274 (43.0) | |
| Female | 177 (56.2) | 186 (57.8) | 363 (57.0) | |
| Education of main income earner | 0.000 | |||
| No schooling | 30 (9.5) | 81 (25.2) | 111 (17.4) | |
| Primary grade | 104 (33.0) | 152 (47.2) | 256 (40.2) | |
| Middle grade | 95 (30.2) | 60 (18.6) | 155 (24.3) | |
| High grade and above | 86 (27.3) | 29 (9.0) | 115 (18.05) | |
| Occupation of main income earner | 0.000 | |||
| Professionals/skilled workers | 38 (12.1) | 9 (2.8) | 47 (7.4) | |
| Farmers/fishermen | 71 (22.5) | 166 (51.6) | 237 (37.21) | |
| Self-employed/shop owners | 89 (28.3) | 22 (6.8) | 111 (17.43) | |
| Unskilled labourers | 117 (37.1) | 125 (38.8) | 242 (38.1) | |
| Household SES quintile | 0.000 | |||
| Level 1 | 42 (13.3) | 98 (30.4) | 140 (22.0) | |
| Level 2 | 43 (13.7) | 77 (23.9) | 120 (18.8) | |
| Level 3 | 63 (20.0) | 79 (24.5) | 142 (22.3) | |
| Level 4 | 72 (22.9) | 42 (13.0) | 114 (17.9) | |
| Level 5 | 95 (30.2) | 26 (8.1) | 121 (19.0) | |
| Had additional symptoms (multiple responses) | 155 (24.3) | 130 (20.4) | 285 (44.7) | 0.025 |
| Cough | 68 (21.6) | 64 (19.9) | 132 (20.72) | 0.594 |
| Aches and pains | 52 (16.5) | 41 (12.7) | 93 (14.6) | 0.177 |
| Sweating | 11 (3.5) | 2 (0.6) | 13 (2.04) | 0.010 |
| Chills | 11 (3.5) | 17 (5.3) | 28 (4.4) | 0.271 |
| Vomiting | 11 (3.5) | 8 (2.5) | 19 (3.0) | 0.455 |
| Less active | 10 (3.2) | 8 (2.5) | 18 (2.8) | 0.599 |
| Loss of appetite | 9 (2.9) | 8 (2.5) | 17 (2.7) | 0.770 |
| Treated at home | 61 (19.4) | 98 (30.4) | 159 (25.0) | 0.001 |
| Home remedies | 9 (2.9) | 29 (9.0) | 38 (6.0) | 0.001 |
| Traditional medicine | 18 (5.7) | 21 (6.5) | 39 (6.1) | 0.671 |
| Modern medicine | 34 (10.8) | 48 (14.9) | 82 (12.9) | 0.121 |
| Sought treatment outside | 259 (82.2) | 223 (69.3) | 482 (75.7) | 0.000 |
| Early seeking treatment | 0.032 | |||
| Sought treatment within 24 h of fever onset | 187 (59.4) | 164 (50.9) | 351 (55.1) | |
| Sought treatment >24 h after fever onset | 128 (40.6) | 158 (49.1) | 286 (44.9) | |
| Malaria knowledge | ||||
| Know that mosquito bite can cause malaria | 227 (72.1) | 207 (64.3) | 434 (68.1) | 0.035 |
| Think malaria is severe in community | 55 (17.5) | 66 (20.5) | 121 (19.0) | 0.329 |
| Know sleeping under bed net can prevent malaria | 16 (5.1) | 25 (7.8) | 41 (6.4) | 0.167 |
| Know of at least one anti-malarial drug | 60 (19.1) | 48 (14.9) | 108 (17.0) | 0.164 |
| Heard of rapid diagnostic testing | 49 (15.6) | 58 (18.0) | 107 (16.8) | 0.407 |