Table 1 PD causes, symptoms and prevention measures mentioned by respondents *

Mentioned by sufferers and carers

Cold weather (10)

Old age (8)

Thinking deeply (3)

High blood pressure (3)

Alcohol (6)

Lack of vitamins (4)

Use of hospital medicine (3)

Use of insecticides (1)

Curse (4)

Witchcraft (8)

Doing lots of work (1)

Genetic inheritance (1)

Having sex during menses (1)

Pregnant mother eating taboo foods (1)

Don't know (17)

Leg and arm tremor (38)

Failing to walk (24)

Failing to do manual work (18)

Body weakness (11)

Leg pains (12)

Leg numbness (7)

Falling without any reason (7)

Feeling hotness in legs (4)

Being forgetful (4)

Failing to have sex (4)

Abdominal gas (2)

Sweating heavily (2)

Body paralysis (1)

Cognitive impairment (1)

Hoarse voice (1)

Walking while bending (1)

Neck stiffness (1)

Vaccination (2)

Early treatment (1)

Good nutrition (1)

Refraining from taking alcohol (1)

Stop thinking deeply (1)

Hygiene practices such as washing hands before eating (1)

Don't know (49)

Mentioned by health workers

Alcohol (3)

Age (2)

Head injury (2)

Viral encephalitis (1)

Brain degenerative disease (2)

Chemicals such as carbon monoxide and mercury (1)

Hypertension (1)

Thinking deeply (1)

Genetic inheritance (1)

Poisoning (1)

Leg and arm tremor (4)

Walking slowly (2)

Failing to walk (2)

Dysphasia (2)

Leg pains (1)

Tightening of leg muscles (1)

Lack of energy (2)

Refraining from taking alcohol (3)

Seeking medical help early (2)

Physical exercise (2)

Vaccination (1)

Avoid contact with chemicals (1)

Don't know (1)