Author: Manithong Vonglokham
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no.GD-07-01
Year: 2007
Academic Program: Gender and Development Studies (GDS)
Type: Thesis (M.Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2007
Examination Committee: Barbara Earth (Chairperson); Bernadette P. Resurreccion, Dietrich Schmidt. Vogt (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: Malaria is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in Lao PDR, particularly in the remote mountainous areas. Thousands of people suffer from the disease in Savannakhet province, especially young children and women. Not all people practice prevention by use of the insecticide treated bed net (ITN) strategy. Individuals with malaria infection are not diagnosed early or receive prompt treatment. As gender inequalities in rural area of Lao society have considerable contextual differences, this study was conducted to illuminate gender differences in knowledge, prevention and treatment seeking behavior related to malaria disease of rural people. Both quantitative and qualitative research techniques were undertaken in Houy Chang Kao village, which has the highest malaria illness in Sepone district of Savannakhet province. The research utilized anthropological methods of survey, participant observation, and focus group discussions at the study village. Furthermore, key health providers were also interviewed. The study found that both male and female respondents in the study area have poor knowledge and awareness on malaria disease and delay seeking treatment for their malaria illness. Women are more likely to lack knowledge on the disease, but they are more likely to use individual protection measures compared to men. Women also have less access to and control over health information and resources as well as less power decision making in family than men. Mobility, opportunity, and language problems are factors that pressure the gender differences of disease knowledge. This research illustrates that access to and control over resources and decision making power play an important role for treatment seeking practices
Scholarship Donor(s): SWEDEN (SIDA)
Note: A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development
Advisory: Full-text is available at https://library.ait.ac.th/ (accessible to local ip address only)
