scholarly journals High common childhood illnesses while treatment seeking behavior of mothers’/care givers’ was low at rural northwest Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zemene Tigabu Kebede ◽  
Kassahun Alemu Gelaye ◽  
Mehari Woldemariam Merid ◽  
Temesgen Yihunie Akalu ◽  
Ashenafi Tazebew Amare ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In most developing countries, childhood illness and deaths are among the most challenging health issues. Most of these deaths were due to preventable causes including acute respiratory infections (ARI), diarrhea, and febrile illnesses. Thus, identification of determinants of these childhood disease illness would help to guide strategic planning, and prioritize interventions. Method: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted. Two stage cluster sampling technique was used to select kebeles and then households. A total of 2,158 mothers/care givers with at least one under-five child were included. Mothers/care-givers were interviewed at their homes using a pretested and structured questionnaire. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) for variables with P-value <0.05 in the multivariable model were reported to show significance and direction of association<0.05 in the multivariable model were reported to show significance and direction of association. Result: The overall prevalence of childhood illnesses was 16.5% (95% CI: 15.0, 18.2). The treatment seeking behavior of the mothers/caregivers was 22.8% (95% CI: 18.7, 27.4). Of the illnesses, 6.5% (95% CI: 5.5, 6.72) were diarrhea, 7.5% (95% CI: 6.5, 8.76) were ARI, and 12.0% (95% CI: 10.66, 13.40) were fever. Mothers’ age 40 years and above (AOR=0.35; 95%CI: 0.16, 0.76), mothers’ occupation (AOR=2.28; 95%CI: 1.84, 4.39), distance from nearest health center (AOR=1.02; 95%CI: 1.01, 1.03), and presence of three or more under-five children in the house (AOR=2.59; 95%CI: 1.03, 5.76) were predictors of childhood illness. Conclusion: In this study, the common childhood illness remains high while treatment seeking behavior of the mothers’/care givers’ was so low. Mothers’ age and occupation, distance from nearest health center, and presence of three or more under-five children in the house were independent determinants of childhood illness. Thus, addressing significant determinants and enhancing mothers’/care givers health seeking behavior would help in reducing morbidity and mortality of under-five children with common childhood illness. Key word: Childhood illness, determinants, rural, health seeking behavior, Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zemene Tigabu Kebede ◽  
Kassahun Alemu Gelaye ◽  
Mehari Woldemariam Merid ◽  
Temesgen Yihunie Akalu ◽  
Ashenafi Tazebew Amare ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In most developing countries, childhood illness and deaths are among the most challenging health issues. Most of these deaths were due to preventable causes including acute respiratory infections (ARI), diarrhea, and febrile illnesses. Thus, identification of determinants of childhood illness would help to guide strategic planning and prioritize interventions.Method: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted. A two-stage cluster sampling technique was used to select households and mothers/caregivers. A total of 2,158 mothers with at least one under-five child were included. Mothers were interviewed at their homes using structured questionnaire. Adjusted Odds Ratio with a 95% Confidence Interval and P-value <0.05 in the multivariable model were reported to show the significance and direction of association.Result: The overall prevalence of childhood illnesses was 16.5% (95% CI: 15.0, 18.2). Of all, 6.5% (95% CI: 5.5, 6.72), 7.5% (95% CI: 6.5, 8.76), and 12.0% (95% CI: 10.66, 13.40) had diarrhea, ARI, and fever, respectively. The treatment-seeking behavior of mothers/care-givers for any of the childhood illness was 22.7% (18.72, 27.42). The odds of childhood illness was higher among mothers’ age 15-19 years (AOR=2.87-; 95% CI: 1.33, 6.13), employed mothers’ (AOR=2.28; 95%CI: 1.84, 4.39), living far away from nearest health center (AOR=1.02; 95%CI: 1.01, 1.03), two under-five children (AOR=1.33;95%CI: 1.029,1.74) and three or more children in the house (AOR=2.70; 95%CI: 1.12, 6.53). About 22.8% (95% CI: 18.7, 27.4) of mothers/caregivers sought health care. Mothers’ occupation (AOR= 4.08 (95% CI: 1.35, 12.39) was the only independent predictor of treatment-seeking behavior.Conclusion: In this study, common childhood illnesses remain high while the treatment-seeking behavior of the mothers’/caregivers’ was low. Mothers’ age, occupation, distance from the nearest health center, and two or more children in the house were independent factors of childhood illness. Being a skilled/semi-skilled mothers was significantly associated with health-seeking behavior of mothers/caregivers. Thus, involving women in skilled/semi-skilled occupations would help in decreasing childhood illness and enhance health-seeking behaviors for their under-five children. Besides, providing access to health care facilities in their nearby area would be essential in reducing childhood illness.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zemene Tigabu Kebede ◽  
Kassahun Alemu Gelaye ◽  
Mehari Woldemariam Merid ◽  
Temesgen Yihunie Akalu ◽  
Ashenafi Tazebew Amare ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In most developing countries, childhood illness and deaths are among the most challenging health issues. Most of these deaths were due to preventable causes including acute respiratory infections (ARI), diarrhea, and febrile illnesses. Thus, the identification of determinants of this childhood illness would help to guide strategic planning and prioritize interventions.Method: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted. A two-stage cluster sampling technique was used to select households and mothers/caregivers. A total of 2,158 mothers with at least one under-five child were included. Mothers were interviewed at their homes using structured questionnaire. Adjusted Odds Ratio with a 95% Confidence Interval for variables with P-value <0.05 in the multivariable model were reported to show the significance and the direction of association.Result: The overall prevalence of childhood illnesses was 16.5% (95% CI: 15.0, 18.2). Of all, 6.5% (95% CI: 5.5, 6.72), 7.5% (95% CI: 6.5, 8.76), and 12.0% (95% CI: 10.66, 13.40) had diarrhea, ARI, and fever, respectively. The treatment-seeking behavior of mothers/care-givers for any of the childhood illness was 22.7% (18.72, 27.42). The odds of childhood illness was higher among mothers’ age 15-19 years (AOR=2.87-; 95% CI: 1.33, 6.13), employed mothers’ (AOR=2.28; 95%CI: 1.84, 4.39), living far away from nearest health center (AOR=1.02; 95%CI: 1.01, 1.03), two under-five children (AOR=1.33;95%CI: 1.029,1.74) and three or more children in the house (AOR=2.70; 95%CI: 1.12, 6.53). About 22.8% (95% CI: 18.7, 27.4) of mothers/caregivers sought health care. Mothers’ occupation (AOR= 4.08 (95% CI: 1.35, 12.39) was the only independent predictor of treatment-seeking behavior.Conclusion: In this study, common childhood illnesses remain high while the treatment-seeking behavior of the mothers’/caregivers’ was low. Mothers’ age, occupation, distance from the nearest health center, and two or more children in the house were independent factors of childhood illness. Being a skilled/semi-skilled mothers was significantly associated with health-seeking behavior of mothers/caregivers. Thus, involving women in skilled/semi-skilled occupations would help in decreasing childhood illness and enhance health-seeking behaviors for their under-five children. Besides, providing access to health care facilities in their nearby area would be essential in reducing childhood illness.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zemene Tigabu Kebede ◽  
Kassahun Alemu Gelaye ◽  
Mehari Woldemariam Merid ◽  
Temesgen Yihunie Akalu ◽  
Ashenafi Tazebew Amare ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In most developing countries, childhood illness, and deaths are among the most challenging health issues. Most of these deaths were due to preventable causes including acute respiratory infections (ARI), diarrhea, and febrile illnesses. Thus, the identification of determinants of this childhood illness would help to guide strategic planning and prioritize interventions.Method: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted. A two-stage cluster sampling technique was used to select households and mothers/caregivers. A total of 2,158 mothers/caregivers with at least one under-five child were included. Mothers/caregivers were interviewed at their homes using a pretested and structured questionnaire. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) for variables with P-value <0.05 in the multivariable model were reported to show the significance and the direction of the association. Result: The overall prevalence of childhood illnesses was 16.5% (95% CI: 15.0, 18.2). Of all, 6.5% (95% CI: 5.5, 6.72), 7.5% (95% CI: 6.5, 8.76), and 12.0% (95% CI: 10.66, 13.40) had diarrhea, ARI, and fever, respectively. The treatment-seeking behavior of mothers/care-givers for any of the childhood illnesses was 22.7% (18.72, 27.42). The odds of childhood illness was higher among mothers’ age 15-19 years (AOR=2.87-; 95%CI: 1.33, 6.13), employed mothers’ (AOR=2.28; 95%CI: 1.84, 4.39), living far away from the nearest health center (AOR=1.02; 95%CI: 1.005, 1.027), presence of two under-five children (AOR=1.33;955CI: 1.029,1.74) and three or more under-five children in the house (AOR=2.70; 95%CI: 1.12, 6.53) than a single child. About 23% (95% CI: 18.7, 27.4) of mothers/caregivers sought health care for the sick child. Mothers’ occupation (AOR= 4.08 (95% CI: 1.35, 12.39) was the only independent predictor of treatment-seeking behavior.Conclusion: The common childhood illness remains high while the treatment-seeking behavior of the caregivers’ was low. Mothers’ age, occupation, distance from the health center, and the presence of two or more under-five children in the house were independent factors of childhood illness. Being skilled mothers was significantly associated with good health-seeking behavior of mothers/caregivers. Thus, involving women in skilled/semi-skilled occupations would help in decreasing childhood illness and enhance health-seeking behaviors for their under-five children.


Author(s):  
H. Ngouakam ◽  
E. Nekehforba ◽  
B. Tientche

Aims: The study sought to determine the determinants of delay in health-seeking among caregivers with under-five children. Study Design: This was a mixed-method, cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study took place in Touboro Health District involving 386 caregivers of under-five children from May to July 30, 2020. Methodology: A structured questionnaire and two focused group discussions were used to gather information on caregiver knowledge of healthcare-seeking behavior. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Bivariable logistic regression was employed to identify factors associated with of healthcare seeking behavior. Results: Results of the 386 sick children, fever 39.9% (154/386), diarrhea 30.3% (117/386) and cough 24.9% (96/386) were the common symptoms. The majority of the caregivers of the under-five children had poor knowledge of 63% (243/386) about common infant illnesses. Caregivers of female children under-five(OR= 2.26, 95% CI: 1.29-3.96, P = 0.004), caregivers aged between 21 and 30 years (OR=5.53, 95% CI: 1.32-23.11, P = 0.019), caregivers whose occupation is housewife (OR=2.64 95% CI 1.23-5.68, P =10.013),) ,caregivers who host > 6children in a household (OR= 3.56 95% CI  1.42-8.92 , P =0.007) were key determinants of delay in health-seeking. Conclusion: Caregivers of female children under-five, caregivers aged between 21 and 30 years, caregivers whose occupation is housewife, caregivers under-five children residing in a rural area, caregivers who host more than 6 children in a household, households with an average monthly income of  <10.000 FRS Cfa were predictors of delay appropriate health-seeking. There is a need to intensify health education focusing on childhood illnesses, and timely care-seeking to effectively respond to caregiver's expectations among others.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gebretsadik Shibre ◽  
Betregiorgis Zegeye ◽  
Dina Idriss-Wheeler ◽  
Sanni Yaya

Abstract Background Pneumonia is a leading public health problem in under-five children worldwide and particularly in Africa. Unfortunately, progress in reducing pneumonia related mortality has been slow. The number of children with symptoms of pneumonia taken to health facilities for treatment is low in Ethiopia, and disparities among sub-groups regarding health seeking behavior for pneumonia have not been well explored in the region. This study assessed the trends of inequalities in care seeking behavior for children under five years of age with suspected pneumonia in Ethiopia. Methods Using cross-sectional data from the 2005, 2011 and 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT), this study investigated the inequalities in health seeking behavior for children with suspected pneumonia. Four measures of inequality were calculated: Difference, Ratio, Slope Index of Inequality and Relative Index of Inequality. Results were disaggregated by wealth, education, residence, and sex with computed 95% Uncertainty Intervals for each point estimate to determine significance. Results The percentage of under-five children with symptoms of pneumonia who were taken to a health facility was significantly lower for children in the poorest families, 15.48% (95% UI; 9.77, 23.64) as compared to children in the richest families, 61.72% (95% UI; 45.06, 76.02) in 2011. Substantial absolute (SII = 35.61; 95% UI: 25.31, 45.92) and relative (RII = 4.04%; 95% UI: 2.25, 5.84) economic inequalities were also observed. Both educational and geographic inequalities were observed; (RII = 2.07; 95% UI: 1.08, 3.06) and (D = 28.26; 95% UI: 7.14, 49.37), respectively. Economic inequality decreased from 2011 to 2016. There was no statistically significant difference between male and female under-five children with pneumonia symptoms taken to health facility, in all the studied years. Conclusions Health care seeking behavior for children with pneumonia was lower among the poorest and non-educated families as well as children in rural regions. Policies and strategies need to target subpopulations lagging behind in seeking care for pneumonia treatment as it impedes achievement of key UN sustainable development goals (SDGs).


Author(s):  
Sampson Oluchi ◽  
Rosliza Manaf ◽  
Suriani Ismail ◽  
Theophilus Udeani

Fever is one of the most common symptoms of pediatric illnesses; it is an important early symptom of malaria. Fever had served as the entry point for presumptive treatment of malaria among children in Nigerian. Appropriate HSB is important when seeking treatment for fever among under-five children; this will help for better prognosis because treatment will be initiated early. This study attempted to identify caregiver’s HSB for under-five children with fever. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Imo-State, Nigeria. Appropriate HSB was operationally defined as seeking treatment from health facility within 24 h of fever. Data were obtained using pretested self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Simple and multiple logistic regression were used to determine predictors of appropriate HSB. A total of 559 eligible respondents were recruited; 103 (18.6%) caregivers had appropriate HSB. The predictors of HSB are being male child (aOR = 2.760; 95% CI:1.536–4.958), the age of child younger than 27 months (aOR = 2.804; 95% CI:1.485–5.295), employed caregivers (aOR = 1.882; 95% CI:1.014–3.493), number of household members (aOR = 2.504; 95% CI:1.464–4.283), and caregivers who decided to seek treatment at early stage (aOR = 7.060; 95% CI:1.616–30.852). Only 18.6% caregivers practiced appropriate HSB for fever cases among under-five children. It is essential to educate caregivers and emphasise on early treatment of fever and appropriate use of health facilities for fever. The findings will be used to improve intervention at the community level and will be compared with follow-up data to evaluate their effectiveness.


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