Assessing Factors Influencing Health Seeking Behavior for Malaria Treatment in Children under Five Years in Rwimi Town Council Kabarole District

Abstract

Introduction: Malaria remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity in Kabarole district accounting for both out and in Patient admissions. One of the key malaria control strategies is timely and effective treatment of cases. The treatment seeking behavior for malaria is critical for the success of this control strategy. Methodology: A cross-sectional household survey was conducted among caregivers of children under five years of age. A total of 368 household heads were sampled from 6 villages. Data was collected using questionnaires and the data collected was coded, entered and then analyzed to generate results. Results: The majority (67.1%) of the children had suffered from fever in the past three months to the study and about 44.2% of the caretakers sought treatment from formal health facilities within 24 hours of onset of signs and symptoms of fever. Health seeking from a formal health facility was associated with level of income (possession of a grass thatched house) of the caregivers [AOR 0.7 CI (0.09-0.9)], the age (≤30 years) of the caregiver [AOR 6.2, CI (1.11-8.81)] and the level of education (secondary) of the caregiver [AOR 5.6, CI (0.09-0.9)]. Long waiting hours and availability of drugs at health centres influenced treatment seeking behaviour. Conclusion: A low proportion of caretakers sought treatment for their children below five years within 24 hours from formal health facilities and this has reduced the. The waiting time at health facilities and the availability of drugs should be enhanced to increase on the health seeking behaviors.