A study on the morbidity profile of children under 5 years of age and knowledge of parents regarding their health seeking behavior

Abstract

To study the morbidity profile of children under 5 years of age and knowledge of parents regarding their health seeking behavior. The study was a community based cross-sectional study. The study was conducted in the Field practice area of Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC) of Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Barabanki. Families with at least one under five-year child, all family willing to participate and consenting and families residing in the study site for the minimum last 1 year were included in the study. A total of 400 subjects were included in the study. Door to door visit was done for data collection. Morbidity was almost nil in 0-2 months preceding the interview. Diarrhoea was most common morbidity during 2 months – 5 years preceding the interview. Government hospital for treatment was preferred by 53.5% of the respondents. Treatment at government hospital was taken by 55% of the respondents. Secondary level of care was available in 50.2% of the respondents. Only 2.2% of the respondents reported any problem with the treatment. Hospital was visited by 65% of the respondents for the treatment. Child’s last illness was 3-6 months in 52.8% of the respondents and Diarrhoea was the most common type of illness. 62.8% of the respondents visited government hospital for the treatment of child. More than one third of respondents visited health facility by bicycle (42.8%) and 24.5% approached by walking. Time taken to reach health facility was 15-30 minutes in 51% of the respondents. The main reason to choose particular health facility was Trust over the provider of the facility (41.5%). This study demonstrates the importance of maternal perception of illness severity in determining facility based care seeking for childhood illness in rural area.