Care-seeking behaviour of caregivers for common childhood illnesses in Lagos Island Local Government Area, Nigeria.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The objectives were to estimate a 2-week prevalence for common childhood illnesses targeted by the National Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) Initiative and to determine care-seeking behaviour of mothers/caregivers for these illnesses. METHODS: A cross-sectional community survey was conducted in the Lagos Island Local Government Area of Lagos State. Eligible children aged 0-5 years and their mothers/caregivers were recruited into the study by cluster-sampling technique. RESULTS: Four hundred and ninety-five children of 450 mothers were identified. Of these, 426 (86.1%) children belonging to 390 mothers/caregivers had symptoms suggestive of malaria, acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea and measles. Care was sought Outside the home at the onset of symptoms for 280 (65.7%) while 146 (34.3%) were treated at home. Of the 280 who were taken for care outside, 23 (8.2%) were taken for care at the onset of illness while the others were taken for care after an attempt at self-treatment (68.6%), use of traditional medicines (12.5%) and provision of traditional home care (10.7%). Only 65 (23.2%) of the children were taken for care within 24 hours of perceived onset of the illness. CONCLUSION: IMCI targeted childhood illnesses were prevalent and poor maternal response that could contribute to complicated outcome was identified.