Original Research Paper

The Magnitude And Associated Factors Of Early Health-seeking Behavior Among Caretakers Of Under-five Children Who Have Acute Diarrheal Illness At Gondar Town; Health Centers North West Ethiopia, 2016.

Abstract :

Background: Early health-seeking behavior (EHSB) is a sequence of helpful steps that caretakers undertake to amend perceived sick-health. In a developing country, the health of children is determining by the caretakers health seeking behavior. Children who have acute diarrhea and caretakers do not bring at early health actions increase the morbidity and mortalities and few studies in the area. The objective of the study was to assess the magnitude and associated factors of EHSB among caretakers of under-five children who have acute diarrheal illness at Gondar town, health centers North West Ethiopia. Method: Cross-sectional study design by using interviewer data was conducted among 367 caretakers at Gondar town from eight governmental health centers in between March 25 to May 8, 2016. A systematic sampling technique was employed. Data were collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire with interviewer. Bi- variable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with EHSB. Variables had P-value0.2 in the bi-variate analysis were considered for multivariable analysis. A P-value of less than 0.05 was used to declare a statistically significant association. Odds Ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to determine the strength and direction of the association.Results: A total of 367 (98.9%) caretakers participated, of whom only 4 (1.1%) failed to respond. The magnitude of EHSB was 22.6% with (95% CI: 18.5-27.3). EHSB was significantly associated with caretakers brought their ill child at severe condition/symptom (AOR=2.62; 95% CI: (1.02-6.70), previous health service waiting time less than one hour (AOR=2.15; 95% CI: (1.13- 4.10), and good breast feeding (AOR=0.38; 95% CI: (0.19-0.78).Conclusions: The magnitude of EHSB of caretakers of under-5 children who have acute diarrheal illness in this study was low. EHSB was statistically associated with previous waiting time less than one hour, brought of the ill child at the mild condition, and giving breast milk/ Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS). Therefore caretakers should build up constant behaves to bring their sick child early to the available health centers and promote the health services to reduce clients waiting time are proactive in the care of the child.

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