Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi (S. Typhi) was estimated to cause over 200,000 deaths and more than
21 million illnesses worldwide, including over 400,000 illnesses in Africa. The current study was conducted in four villages
on Pemba Island, Zanzibar, in 2010. We present data on policy makers’, health administrators’, and village residents’ and
leaders’ perceptions of typhoid fever, and hypothetical and actual health care use among village residents for typhoid
fever. Qualitative data provided descriptions of home-based treatment practices and use of western pharmaceuticals, and
actual healthcare use for culture-confirmed typhoid fever. Survey data indicate health facility use was associated with
gender, education, residency, and perceptions of severity for symptoms associated with typhoid fever. Data have
implications for education of policy makers and health administrators, design and implementation of surveillance studies,
and community-based interventions to prevent disease outbreaks, decrease risks of complications, and provide information
about disease recognition, diagnosis, and treatment.