1Student, Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
2Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
3Deputy Director, CARE India Solutions for Sustainable India, Bihar, India
4Additional Professor, Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
Online published on 29 December, 2017.
Despite the massive efforts undertaken by various national and international agencies, childhood malnutrition remains as a major public health challenge in Bihar. Often childhood illnesses are aggravated due to the existing malnutrition, poor care and management, and the challenges experienced by the mothers in accessing healthcare facilities. The present study aimed to understand health seeking behaviour of mothers during illnesses of their children aged less than 2 years and the factors influencing the same.
Cross-sectional study was conducted in 4 blocks of Patna district, Bihar. Mothers of children (n=71) aged less than 2 years were recruited for the study. Information on socio-demographic factors, infant and young child feeding practices and health seeking behaviour during illness was collected from mothers using a pretested interviewer administered questionnaire.
There were about 73 children (including two pairs of twins) in the study malnourished (n=56) and normal (n=17). The majority of children (93%) were having common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea, fever, common cold or measles. Of the 56 malnourished children, 73% (n=41) were not exclusively breastfed. The mother's health seeking behaviour was majorly influenced by perceived severity of the disease, consultation fees charged by service providers and flexibility in payments.
Health seeking behaviour, child, illnesses, consultation fees
