This paper presents findings of an exploratory and comparative study of a farming and a fishing community of the Ga-Adangme ethnic group in Ghana, which investigated the prevalence of malaria and anaemia among adolescent girls (10-19 years), illness and community perceptions of blood, anaemia and malaria. In both communities blood is perceived as the source of life, strength and health of an individual. Members of both communities attributed anaemia to poor diet, fevers such as malaria, excessive external heat or hard work, flirting and excessive worry.