Morbidity and Health Seeking Behaviour of Families for Childhood Illnesses - Experiences from Coastal Kerala

Health seeking behaviours influence child morbidity and mortality. The present study was undertaken to identify the common morbidities among under-five children and pattern of health-seeking by families, and the factors influencing the health seeking behaviours, in a selected coastal area of Kerala.

This descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted among primary care givers (PCGs) of 138 children, with history of morbidity, recruited by total enumeration from coastal regions of Kerala, India. Interviews were conducted with PCGs during household survey using a structured interview schedule and nutritional status of children was assessed. The data were analysed using SPSS.

Results showed that average age of children was 2 years, 30% children had mild to severe malnutrition, 8.7% were not immunized for age and 26.1% were found sick during the survey. Over the counter use of drugs was common in families (67.4%) before seeking professional help. Care was sought from trained providers by 87.7% of children, allopathy (84%) being the preferred modality and 44% children were taken to government hospitals. Medical treatment was availed within 24 hours for 52 (37.7%) children only. Management of the child's illness was influenced by severity, duration and type of symptoms as cited by PCGs (87.7%).The study concluded that care seeking for childhood illnesses was appropriate but not prompt and self treatment was common.