A study on the morbidity profile of children under 5 years of age and knowledge of parents regarding their health seeking behavior

To study the morbidity profile of children under 5 years of age and knowledge of parents regarding their health seeking behavior. The study was a community based cross-sectional study. The study was conducted in the Field practice area of Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC) of Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Barabanki. Families with at least one under five-year child, all family willing to participate and consenting and families residing in the study site for the minimum last 1 year were included in the study. A total of 400 subjects were included in the study. Door to door visit was done for data collection. Morbidity was almost nil in 0-2 months preceding the interview. Diarrhoea was most common morbidity during 2 months – 5 years preceding the interview. Government hospital for treatment was preferred by 53.5% of the respondents. Treatment at government hospital was taken by 55% of the respondents. Secondary level of care was available in 50.2% of the respondents. Only 2.2% of the respondents reported any problem with the treatment. Hospital was visited by 65% of the respondents for the treatment. Child’s last illness was 3-6 months in 52.8% of the respondents and Diarrhoea was the most common type of illness. 62.8% of the respondents visited government hospital for the treatment of child. More than one third of respondents visited health facility by bicycle (42.8%) and 24.5% approached by walking. Time taken to reach health facility was 15-30 minutes in 51% of the respondents. The main reason to choose particular health facility was Trust over the provider of the facility (41.5%). This study demonstrates the importance of maternal perception of illness severity in determining facility based care seeking for childhood illness in rural area.

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The Profile, Health Seeking Behavior, Referral Patterns, and Outcome of Outborn Neonates Admitted to a District and Regional Hospital in the Upper West Region of Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study

Children ◽

10.3390/children7020015 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 15 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Edem M. A. Tette ◽

Benjamin Demah Nuertey ◽

Emmanuel A. Azusong ◽

Naa Barnabas Gandau

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Regional Hospital ◽

Cow Dung ◽

Care Seeking ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Health Seeking ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Seeking Behavior ◽

West Region ◽

Seeking Behavior

Neonatal mortality is the major contributor to under-five mortality rates in many low and middle income countries. We examined the health practices, care-seeking behavior, and referral of sick outborn neonates to a district and regional hospital in the Upper West Region of Ghana. The study was a cross-sectional study conducted over an eight (8) month period in 2018. Data were obtained from caregiver interviews and case notes. Altogether, 153 outborn neonates were examined. Inappropriate practices including the use of enemas, cord care with cow dung, and herbal baths were found. Three babies treated this way died. The majority of caregivers sought care at a health facility. However, 67 (44%) sought care only after their babies were ill for ≥7 days, suggesting the influence of a period of confinement on health seeking. More than half, 94 (61.4%), of the facilities visited referred patients to destination hospitals without giving any treatment. Delayed care-seeking was associated with a low birth weight, using home remedies, and a maternal age of ≥30 years. Altogether, 12 neonates (7.8%) died, consisting of three males and nine females (p = 0.018). Socio-cultural factors strongly influence health seeking behavior and the health outcome of neonates in this setting. There appeared to be a limited repertoire of interventions for treating neonatal disease in primary care.

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A study of factors affecting the health seeking behaviour of people with pre-existing mental illness during the COVID-10 pandemic

INDIAN JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH AND NEUROSCIENCES ◽

10.32746/ijmhns.2021.v4.i1.41 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (01) ◽

pp. 23-27

Author(s):

Sudha R. ◽

Sudhakar S. ◽

Ranganathan T. ◽

Kannan P. P.

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Care Seeking ◽

Health Seeking ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Seeking Behavior ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Ecological Barriers ◽

Care Seeking Behavior ◽

Seeking Behavior

Health or care seeking behavior has been defined as any action undertaken by individuals who perceive themselves to have a health problem or to be ill for the purpose of finding an appropriate remedy. A little understanding exists concerning socio-ecological barriers experience when seeking mental health care. we aimed at determining the factors that affect health seeking behavior of people with preexisting mental illness during COVID19 pandemic. METHODOLOGY: A Cross sectional study done for three months duration at Department of psychiatry, Chengalpattu Medical College and Hospital with sample size of 105. Ethical committee clearance was obtained.105 patients (age >18 years) consecutive patients having an International Classification of Disease 10 (ICD-10) psychiatric diagnosis, were included. Informed consent was obtained. Data regarding Socio demographic and clinical profile was obtained. RESULTS: In our study,39% of the patients belonged to 30-45 and 46-60 years of age, 6.7% of patients were between the age of above 60. 60% of study participants were male and the rest were female.69.5 % of patients had financial crisis ,70.5% of patients had decrease in the monthly income of the family by 30%or more.60% of patients had difficulty in travel to the hospital due to lack of transport facility during COVID pandemic. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION; Factors determining health-seeking behavior can help address problems and delay in early identification and optimal management of mental disorders during pandemic. Implementing community-based strategies to support resilience and psychologically vulnerable individuals during the COVID-19 crisis is fundamental for any community.

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