Socio-demographic factors and appropriate health care-seeking behavior for childhood illnesses

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine the influence of socio-demographic factors on healthcareseeking behaviors for childhood illnesses. This cross-sectional survey was conducted among consecutively admitted acutely ill children in the Children Emergency Room of a Nigerian tertiary care hospital. A total of 168 respondents were surveyed out of which only 12 (7.1%) performed well with regard to all the four indicators of appropriate healthcare-seeking behaviors. Bivariate analysis showed significant association between high maternal education and early care-seeking, utilization of orthodox health facilities, and drug use at home (p < 0.001 in each case). Similarly, age of child <1 year was associated with early care-seeking, care-seeking outside home, and utilization of orthodox health services (p < 0.001 in each case). Logistic regression showed that high maternal education and high family socioeconomic status were strong predictors of early care-seeking and care-seeking outside the home. It is concluded that maternal age, maternal education, and family socioeconomic status are predictors of appropriate healthcare-seeking behaviors for childhood illnesses. © The Author [2010]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.