Abstract

DURAN GONZALEZ, Rommy; MAGRIS C, Magda M; VIVAS MARTINEZ, Sarai  and  METZGER, Wolfram G. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of health staff and a reduced sample of patients associated with adherence to antimalarial treatment in Atures Municipality, Amazonas State, Venezuela. Bol Mal Salud Amb [online]. 2014, vol.54, n.1, pp.68-87. ISSN 1690-4648.

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that determine adherence to antimalarial treatment associated with the Malaria Control Program and patients in the Atures municipality, Amazonas state. The Constant Comparative Method was used as a qualitative technique for analyzing data collected through participant observation and semi-structured interviews. The results showed that deficiencies in the Malaria Control Program, such as misdiagnosis, mistakes in record keeping and monitoring of malaria cases, and treatment supply are all factors that negatively affect adherence to antimalarial treatment. On the other hand, patients´ positive attitudes to the control programme and their knowledge about the disease positively affected adherence to treatment. The small sample of patients meant, however, that the results obtained remain inconclusive.

Keywords : Malaria; adherence; antimalarial treatment; knowledge; attitudes; practices.

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