The problems of a social survey in epidemiology: an experience from a Zambian rural community

A socio-economic study of 1097 people was carried out between November and December 1979. Demographic data and other health characteristics were obtained by census of the entire study population. Interviews covered disease awareness, perceived morbidity, health-care utilization, knowledge, attitudes and practices; all adults aged 15 years and above were interviewed 2 weeks before physical examinations were made. Age and literacy level were found to have no effect on the people's health-seeking behaviour in Kabinga. The results of this social survey failed to reveal the real practices of the community's use of both ethno-medicine and biomedicine.