[Home care of childhood malaria: proposals for improving management based on a survey of mothers in Notsé (Togo)].

Background: Malaria is a common and frequently fatal disease in sub-Saharan Africa and children suffer the consequences of their family's erroneous therapeutic decisions.

Objective: To assess knowledge, attitudes and practices related to malaria treatment and prevention among mothers of children younger than 5 years old.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey conducted from July to September 2000, in Notsé (Togo) among a sample of 385 mothers of children aged younger than 5 years.