Assessment of Health Seeking Behavior and Associated Factors For General Danger Signs Among Mothers of Under Five Children In Bishoftu Town, East Shoa Zone, Oromiya, Ethiopia, 2016.
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Date
2016-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Adequate recognition of danger signs is an important parenting tool in preventing
the child from preventable morbidities and mortalities. Many child deaths are attributed to delays
in seeking care, a timely care seeking practice has a great importance in areas with limited health
access. The world health organization estimates that seeking appropriate and on time care by care
givers could reduce child death by 20%.
Objective: The objective of the study was to assess health seeking behavior and associated factors
for general danger signs among mothers of under-five children in Bishoftu town, East Shoa Zone,
Oromiya.
Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted from March – April 2016. A
total of 422 mothers were included in the study. The collected data were entered into computer
using Epi data version 3.5 and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Logistic regression was fitted to
assess possible association and the strength of association was measured using odds ratio with 95%
CI.
Results: The study revealed that health seeking behavior was exhibited among 200 (49%) of
mothers who took their child to hospital/health facility immediately without any home intervention.
Educational level of the mother (OR=5.6, 95% CI: 1.6-20.1), monthly income (OR=9.0, 95% CI:
3.8-21.9), previous child illness (OR=6.3, 95% CI: 3.2-12.3) and mothers’ knowledge of general
danger signs (OR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.3-4.5) were found to have statistically significant association
with health seeking behavior.
Conclusion: This study showed that almost half of the mothers sought appropriate health care from
both government and private health institutions. Although this number seemed appreciable, given
the positive phase of change in health sector of the country and the immediate need to seek care
for general danger signs, the number is still not sufficient. Hence, continuous education of mothers
on recognition of danger signs in children and the need to seek appropriate and immediate medical
care in health facilities should be implemented.
Key words: General danger signs, Health seeking behavior,Bishoftu town, Mothers of the under-
five child
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Keywords
General danger signs, Health Seeking Behavior, Bishoftu town, Mothers of the under- five child