This paper reports on a study conducted to examine the effect of health education interventions on mothers' treatment-seeking behaviors for their children's malaria fevers. The study used a quasi-experimental post-test community-based design with an intervention and control group. A post-intervention survey was conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes and child fever and malaria treatment-seeking behaviors and access and exposure to health messages. Survey results indicated that some health education interventions, especially interpersonal communication, appeared to have a positive impact on fever and malaria beliefs and attitudes and on positive treatment-seeking behaviors. While some interventions appeared to have a positive impact on fever and malaria beliefs and attitudes and on positive treatment-seeking behaviors, limitations in the study design made assigning specific effects to the interventions difficult. However, health education interventions remain a valuable tool in addressing malaria in children.

Health promotion Maternal child health Health education Malaria community health worker

rural area Rural Health Services belize refugee controlled clinical trial clinical trial health survey community care interpersonal communication human Refugees middle aged controlled study priority journal Malaria pediatrics Central America Community Health Aides medical practice Humans attitude female Infant Child, Preschool Teaching Materials Review Behavior Mothers medical information Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice major clinical study mother fever health education adult exposure Child