Table 1 List of most common Kiswahili terms used by mothers of Muheza town for malaria related symptoms and signs in their infants.
Kiswahili term | English translation |
|---|---|
Homa | Febrile illness |
Homa kali | Strong febrile illness |
Homa mara kwa mara | Febrile illness on-and-off |
Joto | Heat |
Joto la watu | Contagion with carnal heat |
Kifafa | Seizures as in epilepsy, grand mal |
Kubanua mbavu | Ribs spreading apart, chest in-drawing |
Kulegea | Weakened, soft, as overripe fruits |
Kupauka | Paleness, to become pale |
Kustuka | To jerk, startle |
Mashetani | Evil spirits, scare infants from breastfeeding |
Mchango | Literally 'worms', convulsions when used with Kustuka |
Pumo | Difficult breathing, asthma |
Zongo | Evil eyes, evil eye illness, with breastfeeding failure/vomiting, by bewitchment |