Malaria clinics in Mae Sot, Thailand: factors affecting clinic attendance

Clinics of the Anti-Malaria Program of Thailand play an important part in the control of malaria morbidity and mortality, treating over 60% of reported cases yearly. Interviews were conducted both with attenders at three clinics in Mae Sot District and among those reporting malaria illness but not attending. Distance travelled to the clinic, costs of travel and frequency of other treatment prior to clinic attendance were all highest among patients at the large centralized clinic, moderate in a peripheral fixed clinic, and lowest in a village-based mobile clinic. Reported length of illness prior to attendance was similar for all three clinics. As many as 91% of villagers interviewed chose not to treat their illness in a malaria clinic. These non-attenders reported longer illness time and higher expenditures on treatment than clinic patients. Provision of village-based clinics can improve access. However, the widespread reliance on non-Program treatment of malaria suggests the need for policies to address these alternative therapeutic modes.