Statistical analysis of household health seeking behavior in relation to childhood illnesses: a case of study Rufiji district.
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Date
2008
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The study analyzes the household health seeking behavior in relation to childhood illnesses in Rufiji District. It assumes that child mortality is increasing despite the availability of various health care services and the introduction of essential health intervention programmes. To understand how best to reduce child mortality it is important to understand the care seeking patterns and the factors influencing the choice of health care at household level. In this study, only three childhood illnesses namely; malaria, convulsion, and pneumonia were considered. The objectives of this study were, firstly to examine the care seeking pattern of household members, secondly to examine the factors which influence the choice of health care and lastly to determine the effect of demographic characteristics on the choice of health care. Both descriptive and analytical methods were used in the data analysis. In the descriptive analysis, frequencies of responses were given and cross tabulations of some variables were analyzed. In the analytical analysis, associations between different variables were done using chi-square tests. Logistic regression was employed to determine how demographic characteristics of household members affected the choice of health care. The findings reveal that, health care seeking pattern for children who were suffering from convulsion, were likely to be taken to traditional healers for treatment rather than in modem health facilities. However, those who are suffering from malaria and pneumonia were taken to modem health facilities. It can be concluded that health seeking pattern is influenced by the illness conditions. The structural factors influencing utilizations of either modem or non modem health facilities were the qualities of services. The findings reveal further that the qualities of services in modem facilities were superior compare to those in non modem facilities. The finding also shows that occupation of respondent has an influence in the choice of heath care. These findings indicate that, there is a need to develop educational programs which shows the importance of using modem health facility (modem medication) at early stages when the children develop illness especially those suffering from convulsion.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF RA413.7A4T33)
Keywords
Treatment of children, Health care, Health seeking behaviour, Statistical analysis, Rufiji district
Citation
Thobias, B (2008), Statistical analysis of household health seeking behavior in relation to childhood illnesses: a case of study Rufiji district.Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam