Abstract:
Background: Improving families’ healthcare-seeking behavior for their children can contribute to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality of under-five children. According to World Health Organization estimate, seeking timely and appropriate healthcare could reduce child deaths due to ARIs by 20.
Objective: To assess the health Care Seeking Behavior for Common Childhood illnesses and associated factors among mothers/caregivers of under-5 children in rural kebeles of Kucha district Gamo zone, southern Ethiopia 2021.
Methods and Materials: Community-based cross-sectional study which utilized both quantitative and qualitative data was conducted in Kucha district from March 18-May-18/2021. A total of 422 mothers of under-five children who experienced diseases in the preceding three months Ten Indeppth interviews and two focus group discussions were done.
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Data were collected by using structured, questionnaires and interview guide questions. The data entry and clearance were carried out using Epi data version 4.2 and analyzed by SPSS version 25 statistical software Independent variables were checked for multi-collinearity by using VIF and goodness of fit test. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were also performed
Results: Health care was sought for 79.1% 95% CI: (74.9-82.7%). Mothers of medium wealth status AOR=3.26 95%CI: (1.6-6.6), family size ≤5 persons AOR=1.8 95% CI:(1.05-3.1), perceived severity AOR=2.395% CI: (1.31-4.02), care decision by mothers AOR= 4.16 95% CI:(2.28-7.6), number of symptoms AOR= 3.19 95% CI (1.5-6.8) were independent factors of care-seeking practice. However, health service cost affordability AOR=8.8 AOR = (4.53-16.9) was preventive factors. Misperceptions of causes, severity, treatment modalities, as well as barriers, and facilitators of care-seeking were identified in qualitative
Conclusion and Recommendation More than three quarters of mothers sought health care from health facilities However, almost a quarter of mothers sought from other sources. Participants’ misperceived cause and severity, of child illness, The need for interventions aimed at improving household wealth status, women empowerment and health education care practice
