Health-seeking patterns for AIDS in Malawi

Health-seeking practices in Malawi are not well understood and it is not clear where people go for help to manage AIDS symptoms and to receive treatment for AIDS-defining illness. This qualitative study examines the health-seeking practices of families affected by AIDS in rural Malawi. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with family caregivers (N = 26) and patients with AIDS symptoms (N = 20). Health seeking progressed in three stages: traditional care and treatment by family were used first, followed by remedies from traditional healers. When traditional methods fail and symptoms continue modern treatments from hospitals or clinics were used as a last alternative. We discuss the cultural context of health seeking for HIV/AIDS in Malawi and suggest ways in which traditional practices can be integrated into interventions to improve the quality of care and treatment for people living with AIDS.