HEALTH CARE SEEKING PRACTICES DURING DIARRHEA IN UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN

Abstract

Introduction: Under-five age group is one of the vulnerable age groups for developing the infectious diseases. Diarrheal diseases remain the second most leading cause of death next to pneumonia among under-five mortality globally, contributing to one-fifth of child deaths. This study addressed the health care seeking practices among mother of under-five children and to  make recommendations for the improvement of health services and health awareness in the studied population.

Materials & Methods: An observational, cross sectional study was undertaken among 282 mothers of under-five children with diarrhea, who visited in Pediatrics department, ASMC, Firozabad, UP. A semi structured, pre designed questionnaire was used for data collection.

Results: Most of mothers (69.15%) were aware of diarrhea while 30.85% mothers were unaware of diarrhea. About half of study mother (49.65%) treated their children at home during diarrhea while 123 (43.62%) mothers went for healthcare to the available healthcare facility and 19(6.74%) mothers didn’t do anything and just waited. A significant association was also seen with occupation of mothers as health seeking was proper in working mothers.

Conclusion: Avoidance of feeding restriction and promotion of Breast feeding in children during diarrhea is important measure to be addressed and there is an urgent need to educate the mothers regarding these measures.