Parental response to malaria and other diseases in children in South West region, Cameroon

Children under five years of age are most vulnerable to diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa(SSA). Each minute, this group of children die of diseases which can be prevented using vaccinations or managed  by prompt diagnosis and treatment. The lead diseases causing ravages in children in SSA are malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea and HIV. Parents are responsible for the upkeep and health of children.The aim of this study was to identify the ways in which parents in Marumba 1, Marumba-2, Pete, Bai-Manya villages and Kumba town respond to malaria and other diseases their children have as well as the reasons behind their responses. Malaria was the most common disease that affected children in the study area. Other conditions such as fever, cough and catarrh were also common. Parents responded to children’s diseases by seeking hospital treatment, by self-medication and by asking help from friends, family and neighbours and some did nothing. The process is not a static but dynamic as the responses may change from one illness to the other and from one episode to another. The results provide information of parental practices and indicate areas where improved education is required