Health-seeking Behavior among Mothers of Under-five Children in Sokoto Metropolis, Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Background: In most developing countries, the health of the children is strongly dependent on maternal health-care-seeking behavior. The ability of caregivers to recognize and seek appropriate care for childhood illnesses is instrumental in reducing childhood deaths and preventing significant number of complications. The study aimed to determine the health-care-seeking behavior and associated factors among the mothers of under-five (U5) children in Sokoto Metropolis. Methodology: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out among 386 mothers of U5 children in Sokoto metropolis from August 1 to September 30, 2021. The study participants were selected using the multistage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the information. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 24. The level of significance for Chi-square was set at a P < 0.05. Results: Majority 312 (80.8%) of the respondents U5 children had fallen sick in the last 6 months, most of which 238 (61.7%) were not taken to a health facility. The major reasons why respondents do not take their U5 children to a health facility when sick are because they bought drugs from patent medicine vendor and perceiving the illness of the U5 as not serious to warrant taking the child to a health facility in 93 (24.1%) and 63 (16.3%), respectively. There was association (P ≤ 0.05) between health-care-seeking behavior and respondents’ level of education, occupation, monthly income, as well as distance taken to reach a health facility within 30 min’ walk. Conclusions: The health-seeking behavior of the mothers for their U5 was poor. Maternal level of education, occupation, income, and lesser number of children in the family were the factors that were significantly associated with seeking health facility care for a sick U5. This study recommends girl child education, women empowerment, and increase access to family planning by the government.