Determinants of Delay in Healthcare Seeking for Common Childhood Illnesses among Caregivers with Under-Five Children in Touboro Health District, Near Cameroon’ s Northeastern Border with Chad
H. Ngouakam
Department of Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon and Institut Supérieur des Infirmiers et Techniciens Médico-Sanitaires de Douala, Douala, Cameroon.
E. Nekehforba
Institut Supérieur des Infirmiers et Techniciens Médico-Sanitaires de Douala, Douala, Cameroon.
B. Tientche *
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon and Estuary Academic and Strategic Institute (IUEs/INSAM), Douala, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The study sought to determine the determinants of delay in health-seeking among caregivers with under-five children.
Study Design: This was a mixed-method, cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study took place in Touboro Health District involving 386 caregivers of under-five children from May to July 30, 2020.
Methodology: A structured questionnaire and two focused group discussions were used to gather information on caregiver knowledge of healthcare-seeking behavior. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Bivariable logistic regression was employed to
identify factors associated with of healthcare seeking behavior.
Results: Results of the 386 sick children, fever 39.9% (154/386), diarrhea 30.3% (117/386) and cough 24.9% (96/386) were the common symptoms. The majority of the caregivers of the under-five children had poor knowledge of 63% (243/386) about common infant illnesses. Caregivers of female children under-five(OR= 2.26, 95% CI: 1.29-3.96, P = 0.004), caregivers aged between 21 and 30 years (OR=5.53, 95% CI: 1.32-23.11, P = 0.019), caregivers whose occupation is housewife (OR=2.64 95% CI 1.23-5.68, P =10.013),) ,caregivers who host > 6children in a household (OR= 3.56 95% CI 1.42-8.92 , P =0.007) were key determinants of delay in health-seeking.
Conclusion: Caregivers of female children under-five, caregivers aged between 21 and 30 years, caregivers whose occupation is housewife, caregivers under-five children residing in a rural area, caregivers who host more than 6 children in a household, households with an average monthly income of <10.000 FRS Cfa were predictors of delay appropriate health-seeking. There is a need to intensify health education focusing on childhood illnesses, and timely care-seeking to effectively respond to caregiver's expectations among others.
Keywords: Health-seeking behavior, delay, caregivers, under-five children, appropriate care, childhood illnesses, Touboro Health District