scholarly journals Utilization of Insecticide Treated Nets and Health Seeking Behavior for fever among Children under Five in Southwest Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melford Esuabom ◽  
Mabel Kamweli Aworh ◽  
Chukwuma David Umeokonkwo ◽  
Muhammad Shakir Balogun ◽  
Eniola Bamgboye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Effective Means ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Insecticide Treated Nets ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Health Seeking Behavior ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Under Five Children ◽  
Itn Use ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Southwest Nigeria

Abstract BackgroundMalaria remains a burden globally with the WHO African region accounting for 94% of the overall disease burden and deaths in 2019. Nigeria alone accounted for 27% of total malarial cases and 23% of deaths. Insecticide-treated nets (ITN) use and receiving early care for fever represent the most cost-effective means of malaria prevention and control. In this study, we assessed the utilization of ITNs in households with under-five children in Southwest Nigeria, the health-seeking behavior of their caregivers for fever, and associated factors.MethodsThis was a secondary data analysis of the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Analysis was restricted to under-five children residing in Southwest Nigeria. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression was conducted to determine factors associated with utilization of ITNs and care-seeking for fever in under-five children. Complex samples command of SPSS (Version 23) was used to account for survey sampling design.ResultsOf 2,281 under-five children in households with at least one ITN, 67.6% (1542) slept under an ITN the night before the survey. Predictors of ITN use were the age of child (<12 months), wealth index (poorest), number of nets in a household (2 or more), and number of household members (1-3). Of the 4,153 under-five children, 8.7% (360) had fever, and advice or treatment was sought for 72.4% (261). Predictors of good health-seeking behavior were the age of a child <12 months (AOR=2.81, 95% CI = 1.08-7.31), mothers’ education, and state of residence. Mothers who had secondary education were less likely to report care-seeking than those with higher education (AOR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.19-0.98). Mothers from Osun, Ekiti, and Lagos state were less likely to seek care than those from Ogun state.ConclusionWe found that the utilization of insecticide-treated nets and seeking of care for fever in under five years of age in Southwest Nigeria were below the National Malaria Strategic Plan goal of 80% and 100% respectively. The state governments of Osun, Ekiti, and Lagos should develop strategies to improve ITN use and early seeking of care for fever in under-five children.

scholarly journals Trends of inequalities in care seeking behavior for under-five children with suspected pneumonia in Ethiopia: evidence from Ethiopia demographic and health surveys (2005–2016)

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gebretsadik Shibre ◽  
Betregiorgis Zegeye ◽  
Dina Idriss-Wheeler ◽  
Sanni Yaya
Keyword(s):  
Health Surveys ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Under Five Children ◽  
Care Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Index Of Inequality ◽  
Suspected Pneumonia

Abstract Background Pneumonia is a leading public health problem in under-five children worldwide and particularly in Africa. Unfortunately, progress in reducing pneumonia related mortality has been slow. The number of children with symptoms of pneumonia taken to health facilities for treatment is low in Ethiopia, and disparities among sub-groups regarding health seeking behavior for pneumonia have not been well explored in the region. This study assessed the trends of inequalities in care seeking behavior for children under five years of age with suspected pneumonia in Ethiopia. Methods Using cross-sectional data from the 2005, 2011 and 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT), this study investigated the inequalities in health seeking behavior for children with suspected pneumonia. Four measures of inequality were calculated: Difference, Ratio, Slope Index of Inequality and Relative Index of Inequality. Results were disaggregated by wealth, education, residence, and sex with computed 95% Uncertainty Intervals for each point estimate to determine significance. Results The percentage of under-five children with symptoms of pneumonia who were taken to a health facility was significantly lower for children in the poorest families, 15.48% (95% UI; 9.77, 23.64) as compared to children in the richest families, 61.72% (95% UI; 45.06, 76.02) in 2011. Substantial absolute (SII = 35.61; 95% UI: 25.31, 45.92) and relative (RII = 4.04%; 95% UI: 2.25, 5.84) economic inequalities were also observed. Both educational and geographic inequalities were observed; (RII = 2.07; 95% UI: 1.08, 3.06) and (D = 28.26; 95% UI: 7.14, 49.37), respectively. Economic inequality decreased from 2011 to 2016. There was no statistically significant difference between male and female under-five children with pneumonia symptoms taken to health facility, in all the studied years. Conclusions Health care seeking behavior for children with pneumonia was lower among the poorest and non-educated families as well as children in rural regions. Policies and strategies need to target subpopulations lagging behind in seeking care for pneumonia treatment as it impedes achievement of key UN sustainable development goals (SDGs).

scholarly journals Factors Influencing Caregivers’ Health Seeking Behavior for Malaria Treatment of Children Under 5 Years in Busia Municipality, Uganda

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bwire Odimbe ◽  
Christine Atuhairwe
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Treatment ◽  
Malaria Episode ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Health Seeking Behavior ◽  
Children Under Five ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Under Five Children ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviors ◽  
Seeking Behavior

Abstract Background: Malaria remains a serious cause of under-five mortality and morbidity worldwide and Uganda inclusive. This burden can be minimized by promptly seeking health care. In Uganda, however, studies around malaria health-seeking behaviors for under-five children in the most malaria prevalent areas are very few. This study aimed at determining the factors influencing caregivers’ health-seeking behavior for malaria treatment of children under five years in Busia Municipality, Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used with a structured questionnaire to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 22 to establish relationships between the variables. Results: The results showed that the current health-seeking behaviors of the caregivers of under-five children in Busia municipality are associated with caregiver education level (p= 0.008), the health worker’s behavior towards the client (p=0.015), the severity of fever (p<0.001), the severity of last malaria episode (p<0.001), waiting time (p=0.001), the quality of health services (p= 0.001) and age of caregiver (p<0.001). Traditional medicine and home remedies are the most utilized means of malaria management in under-five children in Busia Municipality. Conclusions: Caregivers need to be sensitized about the proper health-seeking behaviors for the management of malaria in children under-five years through radio shows, television, community engagement meetings among others to enhance the knowledge and understanding of communities about the recommended malaria treatment-seeking practices. There is a need to continuously train medical workers on client engagement skills to promote a good relationship with patients and encourage their return.

scholarly journals Predictors of Health-Seeking Behavior for Fever Cases among Caregivers of Under-Five Children in Malaria-Endemic Area of Imo State, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (19) ◽  
pp. 3752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sampson Oluchi ◽  
Rosliza Manaf ◽  
Suriani Ismail ◽  
Theophilus Udeani
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Presumptive Treatment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Imo State ◽  
Under Five Children ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Pediatric Illnesses

Fever is one of the most common symptoms of pediatric illnesses; it is an important early symptom of malaria. Fever had served as the entry point for presumptive treatment of malaria among children in Nigerian. Appropriate HSB is important when seeking treatment for fever among under-five children; this will help for better prognosis because treatment will be initiated early. This study attempted to identify caregiver’s HSB for under-five children with fever. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Imo-State, Nigeria. Appropriate HSB was operationally defined as seeking treatment from health facility within 24 h of fever. Data were obtained using pretested self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Simple and multiple logistic regression were used to determine predictors of appropriate HSB. A total of 559 eligible respondents were recruited; 103 (18.6%) caregivers had appropriate HSB. The predictors of HSB are being male child (aOR = 2.760; 95% CI:1.536–4.958), the age of child younger than 27 months (aOR = 2.804; 95% CI:1.485–5.295), employed caregivers (aOR = 1.882; 95% CI:1.014–3.493), number of household members (aOR = 2.504; 95% CI:1.464–4.283), and caregivers who decided to seek treatment at early stage (aOR = 7.060; 95% CI:1.616–30.852). Only 18.6% caregivers practiced appropriate HSB for fever cases among under-five children. It is essential to educate caregivers and emphasise on early treatment of fever and appropriate use of health facilities for fever. The findings will be used to improve intervention at the community level and will be compared with follow-up data to evaluate their effectiveness.

scholarly journals Determinants of Health Seeking Behavior among Caregivers of Infants Admitted with Acute Childhood Illnesses at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winfred Muringi Wambui ◽  
Samuel Kimani ◽  
Eunice Odhiambo
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Facility ◽  
Health Care Seeking ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
National Hospital ◽  
Health Seeking Behavior ◽  
Danger Signs ◽  
Childhood Illnesses ◽  
Seeking Behavior

Background. Poor, delayed, or inappropriate health seeking for a sick infant with acute childhood illness is associated with high morbidity/mortality. Delay in health seeking is implicated with fatal complications and prolonged hospital stay. Thus, caregivers ought to identify danger signs and promptly seek professional help for a sick infant. Objective. Establish determinants of health seeking behavior among caregivers of infants admitted with acute childhood illnesses in Kenyatta National Hospital. Methods. A mixed method cross-sectional study involving caregivers (n=130) of sick infants. Semistructured questionnaire and two focused group discussions were used to gather data on caregiver knowledge on danger signs, health care seeking options, and decision-making regarding health care seeking. Data was analyzed with SPSS V. 22. Results. Knowledge of danger signs of infancy was poor. Immediate health seeking was associated with tertiary [P=0.009] and secondary [P=0.030] education, knowledgeability on danger signs [P=0.002], and being married [P=0.019]. Respondents who resided in urban [P=0.034] or less than a kilometer [P=0.042] from a health facility sought care immediately. Those who rated services as excellent (P=0.005) and satisfactory (P=0.025) sought care promptly. Conclusion. Poor knowledge on danger signs of infancy was common among caregivers blurring the magnitude of acute illness resulting in delayed health seeking. Knowledgeability of danger signs of infancy, high educational level, and being married were associated with immediate health care seeking. Caregivers who resided in urban setting and/or near a health facility were linked to immediate health seeking. Additionally, satisfaction and perception of quality health care services were associated with immediate health seeking. Interventions with caregivers should involve capacity building through partnership with families and communities to raise awareness of danger signs of infancy. Strengthening of health care system to offer quality basic health services could improve health seeking behavior. Provision of a seamless supply system, infrastructural support, and technical support for soft skills minimize the turnaround time which is critical.

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