Perceptions of Health Warning Signs in Seriously Ill Woman of Childbearing Age in Kinshasa

Introduction: For seriously ill women of childbearing age, perceived health warning signs may influence decision of whether or not to seek care. Inaccurate perceptions of patients and those around them may lead to attitudes that delay seeking care. This study analyzes perceptions of danger and related delays to seek care in Kinshasa. Methods: Sixty deceased women who died between March and April 2004 were taken away from two Kinshasa mortuaries. History of disease and deaths were reconstructed through medical records and semi-structured interviews of family members and leaders. The Qualitative Software Research was used to conduct a qualitative analysis. Results: Perceived health warning signs had five manifestations: Specific clinical health warning signs, aggravation of non-specific signs, persistence of signs, indirect danger signs and superstitious signs. The incorrect perception of the signs was an important cause of late awareness of the danger and delayed decision to seek care. Conclusion: Misunderstandings of signs often delayed awareness of danger as well as decisions to seek appropriate care. Educational programs teaching health warning signs should be designed to promote the timely use of facilities.