Abstract
Objectives
Knowing health-seeking behavior of family or caregiver is necessary to identify and include scopes of intervention in any injury prevention program, though Bangladesh lacks in recent information. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to provide an updated understanding of health-seeking behavior of family or caregiver following major and minor injuries in rural children.
Methods
It was conducted between May-June 2018 in children (< 18-years) from a selected sub-district following probability sampling. A non-fatal injury occurring within previous three months and hampering regular activities < 30 days was minor, and one occurring within last year and hampering regular activities ≥ 30 days was major. Health-seeking responses for injured children were descriptively analyzed.
Results
Of enrolled 918 children, prevalence of major and minor injuries were 2.4% and 7.4% respectively. Except one child, all other sought for some sort of treatment after an injury. After a major injury (n = 22), 17 children received first aid, mainly provided by relatives (47%) and doctors/trained Health Care Workers (HCWs) (41%). Further treatment was pursued in 64% (n = 22) children; 50% (n = 16) adhered to treatment of doctors/trained HCWs. Median (IQR) suffering was 35 (30–75) days and 18% (n = 22) were hospitalized. After a minor injury (n = 68), 59 children received first aid, mainly provided by relatives (54%) and non-qualified HCWs (25.5%). Further treatment was pursued in 60% (n = 68) children; 71% (n = 49) adhered to treatment of non-qualified HCWs. Median (IQR) suffering was 7 (4–15) days and 3% (n = 68) were hospitalized. Family or caregiver often applied different substances (oil, water, toothpaste, ointment, leaves) over injured part as first aid irrespective of injury pattern and type, though substances varied.
Conclusion
The study identifies nearly similar first aid practices as seen earlier with a treatment adherence more towards non-qualified HCWs. A qualitative study is recommended for in-depth understanding of such behavior before designing targeted interventions, policies, and educational campaigns.