COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES AND DEPARTMENT OF NURSING HEALTHCARE SEEKING BEHAVIOUR ON COMMEN CHILDHOOD ILLNESS AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG MOTHERS OF UNDER FIVE CHILDREN IN GURAGE ZONE WOLKITE TOWN GUBURIE WORED

Abstract

Introduction: Health or care seeking behavior defined as any action instigated by individuals who supposed themselves to have a health problem or to be ill for finding an appropriate remedy. Improving health service use requires appropriate healthcare-seeking behavior and access to a health-care facility. Children's healthcare is distinct in that their parents choose the type and frequency of services they get. Although One of the key reasons for increasing morbidity and death from children disease in under developed nations is mothers' reduced healthcare seeking behavior. Inability to recognize potentially life threatening conditions and diverse care-seeking practices were factors of caregivers to delays in seeking care. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the magnitude healthcare seeking behavior on common childhood illness and its associated factors among mothers of under five children in Gurage zone wolkite town Guburie sub city.Methods: From February to May 2022, a community-based cross-sectional study were employed in Gurage zone Gubur woreda. For sample selection, a basicrandom sampling method were utilized. Face-to-face interviews were used to obtain data. From February through May 2022 G.C the study's key operations, such as data gathering and analysis were carried out.Results: A total of 341 mothers participated in this study. Among them 57.6% had sought health care for their children. Among the common childhood illnesses, cough, fever and diarrhea accounted for 15.5%,15.5%and 12.9% respectively. Mothers/caregivers healthcare seeking behavior towards common childhood illnesses were influenced by Childs age, perception of severity of illness, place of residence and educational status of mothers/caregivers. Conclusion: type of kebele and perception of severity are predictors of mothers/caregivers health care seeking behaviors for common childhood illness. It is better to give enfaces for mothers to seek health care regardless of the severity of illness and types of illnesses