Factors influencing health care seeking behaviors among caretakers of children below 5 years in Bugala Island, Kalangala District

Abstract

Childhood illnesses present a major public health challenge for developing countries like Uganda which is aggravated by a suboptimal health seeking behavior by the parents or guardians. Appropriate medical care seeking could prevent a significant number of child deaths and complications. The present study aimed at determining the factors influencing health care seeking behaviors among caretakers of children below 5 years at Bugala Island, Kalangala district. A cross-sectional descriptive study design quantitative in nature was conducted in rural area of Bugala Island using simple random sampling, a total of 50 participants were recruited into the study. Results indicated more than 60% had poor health seeking behaviors associated with increased number of children, Furthermore poor means of transport, high costs of transport and user charges as well as others being delayed in traditional healers. Level of education was found having high influence in early health care seeking behaviors. This study recommends that there be an intensive awareness campaigns through multimedia approach stressing on female literacy, improving on socio-economic status of people along with counselling on early health care seeking practices especially for under 5. Also government should consider Bugala Island and Kalangala district in general as special area with unique challenges and put health a health unit at a village level to avoid long distances to reduce mortality and morbidity of children under 5 years. A study on attitudes of health workers in relation to early health care seeking behaviors need to be carried out