Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: November | Volume: 8 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 177-184
Factors Affecting Health Seeking Behaviors for Common Childhood Illnesses among Rural Mothers in Chitwan
Dipa Sigdel1, Mandira Onta2, Archana Pandey Bista3, Kalpana Sharma4
1Lecturer, 4Associate Professor, College of Nursing, Chitwan Medical College, Chitwan
2Professor, 3Associate Professor, Maharajgunj Nursing Campus, TU, IOM, Kathmandu
Corresponding Author: Dipa Sigdel
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Formal health seeking behavior has great potential to reduce life-threating childhood illness. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting health seeking behavior for common childhood illness among rural mothers.
Methods: A descriptive survey was conducted in Korak Village Development Committee and a total 162 mothers having under-five children common childhood problem especially acute respiratory illness and diarrhea were selected purposively. Data was collected from 27th February to 26th March, 2016, using semi-structured interview schedule in Nepali version. Association between variables was measured by Chi-square test and regression analysis was performed to identify the factors affecting health seeking behavior.
Results: Only 42.6% of mothers of under-five children had formal health seeking behavior for common childhood illness. Formal health seeking behaviors was significantly higher among the mothers who were ≤ 25 years (OR 2.003, 95% CI:1.046-3.834),literate (OR 2.113, 95% CI:1.064-4.197), involved in other occupation than agriculture (OR 2.578, 95% CI:1.359-4.889),delivered at health institution (OR 4.336, 95% CI:1.695-11.092),had enough household income (OR 2.341, 95% CI:1.198-4.574), involved in household decision making(OR 2.482, 95% CI:1.189-5.184), perceived illness as severe (OR 21.614, 95% CI:7.142-65.413),had health facility within 30 minutes distance (OR 7.783, 95% CI:3.704-16.356), and perceived affordable cost for treatment (OR 3.059, 95% CI:1.377-6.797).
Conclusion: Less than half of rural mothers with under-five children seek for formal health care for common childhood illness specifically on managing diarrhea and respiratory illness . Age, educational status, occupation, place of delivery, annual household income, decision making, perceived severity of illness, availability of health facility and affordable cost for treatment are the factors influencing health seeking behaviors of mothers of under-five children. Hence, these factors should be taken into account for the promotion of appropriate health seeking behaviors among mothers.
Key words: Common Childhood Illnesses, Health Seeking Behaviors, Rural Mothers