Knowledge and Health Seeking Behavioural Patterns of Caregivers on Managing Childhood Febrile Conditions in Singida Region – Tanzania

Abstract

Although the trend of under five mortality revealed to decline worldwide but still a global burden, since the under five children continue to die every day especially those from poor setting. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of childhood febrile conditions are essential for reducing the progression of the illness to severe disease and, therefore, decrease mortality among under five children. This study aimed to assess knowledge and health seeking behavioral patterns of caregivers on managing childhood febrile conditions in Singida region. A community-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Iramba, Itigi and Mkalama District Council from April to May 2019. A sample size of 751 care givers were involved meanwhile 7 destroyed byrain. Participants were selected using simple random sampling. Interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done to determine the strength of association on factors influencing knowledge and health seeking behavioral patterns and controlling the confounders. Among 744 caregivers participated, 57% (425) had high knowledge on managing childhood febrile conditions. Influencing factors were education level (P<0.05) and Marital status (P<0.05). Only 41.5% of caregivers seek health care to the health facility, 38% went to community doctors, 10% went to neighbours, 6.8% went to religious leaders and 3% went to traditional healers. Knowledge and health-seeking behavioural patterns have an influence on self-medication practices among caregivers.