Publication:

Health-seeking behavior and associated factors during the first episode of childhood diarrhea and pneumonia in a coastal area of Bangladesh

Background Pneumonia and diarrhea are the leading causes of under-five (U5) child mortality in Bangladesh. Seeking appropriate care in timely manner may prevent U5 child mortality due to pneumonia and diarrhea, and thus, it is important to understand perception and barriers of health-seeking behavior of parents during childhood pneumonia and diarrhea in order to develop healthcare policies, and design programs to improve health care utilization practices in disadvantaged areas. The study aimed to explore the factors affecting health-seeking behavior during the first episode of childhood diarrhea and pneumonia.

Methods In a cross-sectional study, survey interviews with 392 mothers, and two focus group discussions (FGD) with fathers (n = 16) were conducted in two villages of Teknaf Upazila in a coastal district in Bangladesh.

Results Logistic regression analysis indicated that during childhood diarrhea, mother’s age, household monthly income, monthly health expenditure and mother’s knowledge regarding danger signs, and during childhood pneumonia, mothers’ education level, monthly household income, monthly expenditure for treatment, household size, and knowledge regarding danger signs were the predictors of mothers’ health-seeking behavior. Results from FGDs indicate that financial problems, low education, distance to health facilities, poor transport facilities hinder the ability to seek timely care during childhood diarrhea and pneumonia.

Conclusions Policies and programs should be in place to address barriers of health-seeking behaviors to reduce child mortality due to diarrhea and pneumonia in coastal areas.