Factors combine to abet resistant malaria strains

[geovalin]

Erin Handley

 

A cocktail of factors, from financial to supernatural, are affecting the way Cambodians seek malaria treatment, with mistreated cases potentially leading to the spread of resistant strains, a new study has found.

 

The qualitative report, published late last week in the peer-reviewed Malaria Journal 2017, conducted 42 interviews and focus groups with an additional 49 villagers in Chheb and Chey Sen districts in Preah Vihear province.

 

Report author and social scientist Charlotte Gryseels, of the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Belgium, said Cambodians had a tendency to separate symptoms, such as fever and headache, and attempt to solve them individually with a mixture of treatments like coining, pills, indigenous healing practices and herbal remedies. “Sometimes when initial treatment options don’t cure the patient, people explore the potential for spiritual attacks, as this would explain why the given treatment isn’t working,” she said.

 

read more http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/factors-combine-abet-resistant-malaria-strains

 

 

-- © Copyright Phenom Pen Post 22/02