The findings showed that receiving low social support
from family or the community was associated with a
delay in seeking treatment. Malaria patients who received
medium or high levels of social support may seek treatment
rapidly following the onset of symptoms, and it may
be a factor that helps malaria patients to understand the
possible complications and severity of malaria occurring
from self-treatment. It may serve to increase the perception
of malaria as not being a routine illness, but one with
a high risk of developing severe symptoms. The results
reported from this study suggest that it is the personal
intervention of friends and family, rather than mass media
messages about malaria which are important. The costs of
visiting a health facility, and educational level were not
found to be statistically significant barriers to seeking
treatment. However it should be noted that the median
monthly income was less than the national median. One
component of social support was receiving money from
family or community members to access malaria treatment.
Further exploration is needed of whether or how
poverty impacts on decision-making about malaria treatment
amongst ethnic groups living in border areas.