A cross-sectional survey of parental care-seeking behavior for febrile illness among under-five children in Nigeria
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Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Alexandria Journal of Medicine
Abstract
Abstract Background: Infections are a common cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in
developing countries. Proper management of these conditions in appropriate health facilities provides
the best opportunity for survival and reducing disability.
Aims: To evaluate the care-seeking behavior by parents of under-five children with fever in Nigeria
and determine household characteristics associated with appropriate care-seeking.
Material and methods: The study is a secondary analysis of 2013 Demographic and Health Survey
data for Nigeria, which was a cross-sectional survey conducted nationwide to obtain demographic
and health characteristics of the population among 40,680 households selected using a multistage
cluster sampling method. Under-five children with fever in the preceding two weeks were selected
alongside their mothers. Selected sociodemographic parameters were related to parents seeking care
from appropriate health facilities or otherwise. Logistic regression analysis was employed to evaluate
the association of these parameters with appropriate care-seeking.
Results: There were 3632 (12.6%) under-five children with fever in the preceding two weeks. Of
these, 1142 (31.4%) had been taken to an appropriate health facility for care. Factors associated
with appropriate care-seeking were paternal secondary (OR, 95% CI; 1.49, 1.16–1.90), paternal tertiary
education (OR, 95% CI; 2.03, 1.49–2.76) and belonging to the Muslim faith (OR, 95% CI;
2.31, 1.86–2.87). Others were age of child <36 months, being married and working mother.
Conclusion: There is poor care-seeking for fever in under-five children by parents in Nigeria.
Improved literacy, women empowerment and health education are strategies that may improve
care-seeking behavior. Highlighted regional differences are additional considerations for such interventions.
Description
Keywords
Fever; Child; Care-seeking; Nigeria
Citation
Abdulkadir, M. B., & Abdulkadir, Z. A. (2017): A cross-sectional survey of parental care-seeking behavior for febrile illness among under-five children in Nigeria. Alexandria Journal of Medicine. 53(1);85-91.