Health Workers in Malawi: a Study of the Workers Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception

This study focuses on health workers in the Mangochi district of Malawi. Qualitative and quantitative Data was collected from 72 health workers and 29 mothers regarding concerns related to diarrhoea. Data was collected using structured interviews, direct observations, focus group discussion, and archival clinical records examination. Simple descriptive statistics are employed in the study, the qualitative data is analysed using open-coding/axial-coding techniques. The study focuses on the workers and mothers knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and practice in the management and treatment of diarrhoea. Stemming from the data analysis precise recommendations are presented. The results indicate that the health workers were not sufficiently knowledgeable in the treatment of diarrhoea and although they were trained in the treatment of severe and moderate cases of diarrhoea but were inept in the treatment of mild cases. Mothers included in the study displayed a positive attitude to the use of Oral Rehydration Therapy but the study found a negative correlation between their attitude and perceptions.