DETERMINANTS OF HEALTHCARE SEEKING BEHAVIOR AMONG MOTHERS OF SICK CHILDREN 2 TO 59 MONTHS OF AGE IN GOFA

Abstract

Background: The health and wellbeing of children under five are affected by the healthcare seeking behavior of their mothers. Failure to promptly recognize the signs and symptoms of diseases can result in complications, increased hospital admissions, and longer hospital stays to discharge, all of which have a negative impact on the financial and productivity resources of the affected children and their families, healthcare organizations, and society as a whole. However, there was currently lack of information on the factors that contribute to healthcare seeking for sick children aged 2 to 59 months in the Gofa Zone. Objective: The aim of this study was identified the determinants of healthcare seeking behavior among mothers of sick children 2 to 59 months of age in Gofa Zone Public Hospitals, Gofa, Ethiopia, 2024 Methods: A facility-based unmatched case-control study was conducted among 302 mothers of children (151 cases and 151 controls) aged 2-59 months at public hospitals in the Gofa Zone, including Sawla General and Melo Primary Hospitals, from July 20 to September 5, 2024. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire and chart reviewed. Consecutive sampling was used for cases, while systematic sampling technique was applied for controls. The collected data were entered into Epi-Data version 4.6 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Bivariable binary logistic regression was performed to determine associations between independent and dependent variables, with variables having a p-value < 0.25 included in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. The multivariable analysis was conducted using the backward Wald stepwise method, and variables with a p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 302 mothers/caregivers participated in the study with the response rate 100%. Having one children under the age of five (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.25–3.80), perceived severity of illness as a severe (AOR=2.16, 95% CI: 1.08-4.30), having previous admission history (AOR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.04–3.74) were positively associated with healthcare seeking behavior, while the absence of community-based health insurance (AOR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.27–0.82) and presence of danger sign (AOR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.074–0.23) were inversely related with healthcare seeking. Conclusion: The findings of this study underscore the importance of addressing multiple determinants to improve seeking health care for sick children. Factors includes Having one children under the age of five the absence of community-based health insurance, perceived severity of illness as a severe, having previous admission history and presence of identified danger sign were significantly associated to healthcare seeking behavior of mothers for sick children.