Determine the Factors Influencing Health Seeking Behavior of Mothers for their under Five Children in Rural Area of Gujarat, India

Abstract

The present study aims to determine the factors affecting health seeking behavior for childhood illnesses, thereby improving child survival. Childhood diseases are a significant public health concern that is made worse by parents' or guardians' subpar health-seeking behaviors in India. Many child deaths and complications could be avoided with appropriate medical care seeking. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in rural area of Gujarat. Study subjects were patients aged 2 months to 5 years of age who presented to the outpatient department of Rural Health Training Centre. The health seeking behavior of mothers for their child’s illness and the factors affecting it were analyzed. Regarding utilizing the curative aspect of healthcare-seeking behavior, out of total 147 male children, treatment was not received by 31 children (21.09%), while those who received treatment, 71 males (48.30%) get treatment at the public sector and 45 males (30.61%) get treatment at private sector. It indicated the promptness, concern and utmost care for male children by their mothers. Out of 90 female children, in 30.00% of the cases, no treatment was received. 42 females (in 46.67% cases) receive treatment at public sector and 21 females (in 23.33% cases) receive treatment at private sector. The association between mass media exposure and health care seeking behavior was found to be statistically significant. The association between working status of mother and health seeking behavior was not found statistically significant. Appropriate health seeking behavior isn't very common for illnesses that can be prevented in children. Intervention programs emphasizing caretakers' educational advancement and the implementation of integrated community-based management of pediatric sickness are likely to increase children's survival rates and their propensity to seek out health care.