A study of factors which determine health seeking behavior of mothers for their under five children in rural area of Gujarat

Pravin N. Yerpude; Keerti S. Jogdand; Jay H. Shah; Kinnari B. Thacker

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20174822

Authors

Pravin N. Yerpude Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhuj, Gujarat, India
Keerti S. Jogdand Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhuj, Gujarat, India
Jay H. Shah Junior Resident, Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhuj, Gujarat, India
Kinnari B. Thacker Junior Resident, Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhuj, Gujarat, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20174822

Keywords:

Health seeking behaviour, Under five children

Abstract

Background: Childhood illnesses present a major public health challenge for developing countries like India which is aggravated by a suboptimal health seeking behaviour by the parents or guardians. Appropriate medical care seeking could prevent a significant number of child deaths and complications. The present study aims to determine the factors affecting health seeking behavior for childhood illnesses, thereby improving child survival.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in rural area of Gujarat. Study subjects were patients aged 2 months to 5 years of age who presented to the outpatient department of Rural Health Training Centre. The health seeking behavior of mothers for their child’s illness and the factors affecting it were analyzed.

Results: Regarding utilizing the curative aspect of healthcare-seeking behavior, out of total 147 male children, treatment was not received by 31 children (21.09%), while those who received treatment, 71 males (48.30%) get treatment at the public sector and 45 males (30.61%) get treatment at private sector. It indicated the promptness, concern and utmost care for male children by their mothers. Out of 90 female children, in 30.00% of the cases, no treatment was received. 42 females (in 46.67% cases) receive treatment at public sector and 21 females (in 23.33% cases) receive treatment at private sector. The association between mass media exposure and health care seeking behavior was found to be statistically significant. The association between working status of mother and health seeking behavior was not found statistically significant.

Conclusions: For the preventable childhood illnesses, appropriate health seeking behaviour is low. Intervention programs focusing on educational improvement of the caretakers, introduction of community based integrated management of childhood illness are likely to contribute to improve the health seeking behaviour and child survival.

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