Zambia Demographic and Health Survey 2001-2002 - Measure DHS

Luapula province has the highest percentage of children with malaria symptoms (57 percent),followed by Western province (51 percent), while Lusaka has the lowest (35 percent). Although it has one ofthe lowest levels of malaria (39 percent), North-Western province has the highest proportion of children withmalaria who took anti-malarial drugs (66 percent).Prevalence of fever among children under five years declines with increasing level of mother’seducation. Women with secondary or higher education report the lowest percentage of children with fever(35 percent), compared with women with no education (50 percent). The percentage who receive antimalarialdrugs is highest among children of mothers with secondary or higher education (55 percent),followed by children of mothers with primary education (52 percent).Table 10.6 presents information on the types of drugs given to children with fever. Chloroquine is byfar the most common anti-malarial drug given for fever (50 percent) in both urban (46 percent) and rural areas(51 percent). Fansidar is given more in urban areas (5 percent) than in rural areas (2 percent). Overall, only2 percent of children with fever are reportedly given Fansidar. The fact that almost half of children with feverare given chloroquine is of concern because chloroquine-resistant malaria exists in Zambia.Sixty-two percent of children with fever are given non-anti-malarial drugs, such as aspirin, panadol,and herbs (77 percent of children in urban areas and 57 percent in rural areas). One in five children with feverwas not given any drugs.Table 10.6 Drugs taken for feverAmong children under five years who were ill with fever,convulsions or fits during the two weeks preceding the survey,percentage given specific drugs, according to residence,Zambia 2001-2002ResidenceDrug given Urban Rural TotalAnti-malarial drugChloroquine 46.0 50.9 49.7Fansidar 4.7 1.7 2.4Quinine 2.2 1.3 1.5Non-anti-malarial drug 76.6 57.2 61.8No drug 10.6 22.3 19.5Don’t know/missing 1.0 2.2 1.9Number of children 594 1,901 2,505160 │ Malaria