Malaria is still one of the top reasons for hospital visits in Ghana. Yet, despite years of education, dangerous myths continue to make people delay treatment, misuse medicines, and get sicker.
At Citi Pharmacy, we hear these myths every day. Let’s bust them with facts.
5 Myths About Malaria in Ghana That Are Making You Sick
Myth 1: Malaria is caused by working in the sun, eating oily foods, or mangoes
This is one of the oldest myths in Ghana. Many people believe that asra is caused by too much red oil, unripe mangoes, or standing in the hot sun which “melts your blood”. Studies in Ghana show these misconceptions persist even today.
Fact: Malaria is caused ONLY by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito carrying Plasmodium parasites. Sun, oil, and mangoes do not cause malaria. They may coincide with the rainy/mango season when mosquitoes breed more.
Myth 2: Every fever, headache, and hot body is malaria
In many Ghanaian communities, fever and malaria are seen as the same thing – locally called Asra or Atridi. So people self-diagnose and buy antimalarials without testing.
Fact: Not every fever is malaria. Typhoid, flu, urinary infections, and other illnesses can also cause fever. The WHO and Ghana Health Service recommend you test before you treat. A simple mRDT test at Citi Pharmacy or any clinic will confirm if it’s really malaria. Taking antimalarials when you don’t need them causes drug resistance.
Myth 3: Strong agbo / herbal mixtures cure malaria better than pharmacy drugs
About 80% of people in Africa use herbal medicine as the first point of treatment for malaria. While plants like Cryptolepis have been studied, many street mixtures are unsafe and sometimes secretly mixed with orthodox drugs.
Fact: Unapproved herbal mixtures have no standard dose, no safety testing, and can damage your liver and kidneys. Ghana’s approved treatment is Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACTs) prescribed after a positive test. If you prefer herbal options, choose FDA Ghana-approved ones and always inform your pharmacist.
Myth 4: Mosquito nets are harmful, cause heat, or contain dangerous chemicals
A recent survey in Koforidua found that almost every household had 2 or more free nets but didn’t use them because of myths – no space to hang them, or that they produce too much heat. Social media also falsely claimed the new Interceptor G2 nets are harmful.
Fact: The Ghana Health Service has confirmed that WHO-approved Interceptor G2 nets are safe, FDA Ghana-approved, and have undergone extensive safety testing. They contain chlorfenapyr and alpha-cypermethrin which are safe for humans but deadly to mosquitoes. Yes, it may feel warm at first – air it for 24-48 hours before first use and ensure your room is ventilated. That heat is better than severe malaria.
Myth 5: Malaria is not serious and can spread from person to person
Two dangerous beliefs: 1) Malaria is a mild disease, 2) You can catch it by touching someone. A 2025 study in Sekyere South found 56% of pregnant women believed malaria spreads person-to-person.
Fact: Malaria does NOT spread person-to-person like flu, except from mother to baby during pregnancy, blood transfusion, or shared needles. And it is NOT mild. Severe malaria can cause organ failure, anaemia, and death, especially in children and pregnant women. That perception that it’s not dreaded leads to late treatment and death.
What To Do Instead – Advice From Citi Pharmacy
1. Test First: Do an mRDT test for any fever before taking antimalarials.
2. Sleep Under ITN Every Night: Use your treated net correctly and repair holes.
3. Clear Breeding Sites: Cover water containers, clear gutters and bushes weekly.
4. Complete Your Dose: If prescribed ACTs, finish all 3 days even if you feel better. Never use leftover antimalarials.
5. Talk to Your Pharmacist: Visit any Citi Pharmacy branch for testing, genuine antimalarials, and advice.
FAQs
1. Can I get malaria from eating too much oily food or being in the sun?
No. Malaria is only transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Oily foods and sun exposure do not cause malaria, though heat can make you feel weak and dehydrated.
2. Is it safe to take malaria drugs without testing?
No. Ghana Health Service and WHO recommend testing before treatment. Taking antimalarials without malaria can hide the real cause of your fever and contribute to drug resistance.
3. Are the new mosquito nets being shared in schools safe?
Yes. The Ghana Health Service and FDA Ghana confirm Interceptor G2 nets are WHO-prequalified and safe for all ages, including children and pregnant women. Air them for 1-2 days before use if you notice a smell.
4. When should I go to the hospital instead of the pharmacy?
Go immediately if you have high fever that doesn’t reduce after 24 hours, vomiting everything, inability to eat, yellow eyes, difficulty breathing, convulsions, or if the patient is a child under 5 or a pregnant woman.
References
1. PATH – Malaria’s deadly mythology in Ghana:
2. Ghana Health Service on Interceptor G2 Net Safety – Pulse Ghana
3. Community perceptions of malaria and treatment in Ghana – NIH / PMC
4. Malaria Journal – KAP among pregnant women in Sekyere South, Ghana 2025
5. WHO Fact Sheet on Malaria
Disclaimer: This article is for health education only and does not replace professional medical advice. If you have fever, chills, or other symptoms, please visit your nearest healthcare facility or Citi Pharmacy for proper testing and treatment.
