<p>Determinants of Delayed Treatment-Seeking for Childhood Diarrheal Diseases in Southwest Ethiopia: A Case–Control Study</p>

Abstract

Background: Although there are low cost and effective interventions to prevent and treat diarrhea, it is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among under-five children in developing countries. Deaths from diarrheal diseases are largely due to lack of prompt seeking of medical care. This study aimed to identify determinants of delayed treatmentseeking for diarrheal diseases among under-five children in Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: Unmatched case-control study was conducted among 324 under-five children paired with their mothers/caregivers from 1st April to 30th May 2019. Cases were under-five children paired with their mothers/caregivers who sought treatment after 24 hours of the onset of signs and symptoms of diarrheal diseases, and controls were under-five children paired their mothers/caregivers who sought treatment within 24 hours of the onset of signs and symptoms of diarrheal diseases. Consecutive sampling was used, and data were collected through interviews and chart reviews. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was performed, and variables with a P-value <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 324 (162 cases and 162 controls) under-five children paired with their mothers/caregivers were included in this study. Being rural residents (AOR=1.93, 95% CI: 1.13,3.31), children from households with more than two children (AOR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.15-3.66), preferring traditional healers for the treatment of diarrhea (AOR= 4.78, 95% CI: 1.74,13.12), not having television or radio for the households (AOR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.11-3.66), living in more than 10 km from the nearest health facility (AOR=4.80, 95% CI: 2.61-4.83), and perceiving diarrhea can cure without treatment (AOR=2.11, 95% CI: 1.15-3.87) were significant determinants of delayed treatment-seeking. Conclusion: Being rural residents, larger family size, physical inaccessibility of health facilities, not having access to electronic media (television or radio), preferring traditional healers for the treatment of diarrhea, and having the perception that diarrhea can be cured without treatment were determinants of delayed treatment-seeking for diarrheal diseases among under-five children. Thus, multidimensional approaches that can address accessibility of health facilities and improve caregivers' awareness are necessary to encourage prompt treatment-seeking for diarrheal diseases among under-five children.

Causes of infant deaths and patterns of associated factors in Eastern Ethiopia: Results of verbal autopsy (InterVA-4) study

“…Infant and children are more likely to die due to lack of safe water and sanitation, along with poor hygiene practices, that result in deteriorative synergy that leads to diarrheal disease [ 58 ]. Health seeking behavior such as poor early sough of health care, less measure to diarrhea disease management including oral rehydration therapy (ORT) for rehydration were responsible for diarrhea-related mortality [ 59 ]. Other deaths due to severe malnutrition, Measles, Pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS appeared to be tribulation of infant’s survival on the basis of the present study result.…”

Surveillance for foodborne diseases in a sentinel hospital in Jinhua city, Midwest of Zhejiang province, China from 2016–2019

“…Males were more likely to suffer from FBDs, as men were generally more adventurous than women when making irrational decisions (Shan et al, 2019). Children under six were more likely to suffer FBDs, as mentioned in the previous study (Havelaar et al, 2015), due to their lower immunity and the absence of health education.…”

Reasons, experiences and expectations of women with delayed medical care for ectopic pregnancies in Chinese urban edges: a qualitative study

“…The research results showed that the convenience of therapy significantly impacted how patients seek medical care 35. The distance between the residence and the medical institution could affect patients’ medical decision-making 36. Limited medical resources in rural areas could easily lead to misdiagnosis and delays in seeking medical care 37.…”

“…35 The distance between the residence and the medical institution could affect patients’ medical decision-making. 36 Limited medical resources in rural areas could easily lead to misdiagnosis and delays in seeking medical care. 37 Therefore, more attention should be paid to areas with little or lacking high-quality medical resources.…”