Care-seeking behaviour of caregivers for common childhood illnesses in Lagos Island Local Government Area, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

The objectives were to estimate a 2-week prevalence for common childhood illnesses targeted by the National Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) Initiative and to determine care-seeking behaviour of mothers/caregivers for these illnesses.

METHODS

A cross-sectional community survey was conducted in the Lagos Island Local Government Area of Lagos State. Eligible children aged 0-5 years and their mothers/caregivers were recruited into the study by cluster-sampling technique.

RESULTS

Four hundred and ninety-five children of 450 mothers were identified. Of these, 426 (86.1%) children belonging to 390 mothers/caregivers had symptoms suggestive of malaria, acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea and measles. Care was sought Outside the home at the onset of symptoms for 280 (65.7%) while 146 (34.3%) were treated at home. Of the 280 who were taken for care outside, 23 (8.2%) were taken for care at the onset of illness while the others were taken for care after an attempt at self-treatment (68.6%), use of traditional medicines (12.5%) and provision of traditional home care (10.7%). Only 65 (23.2%) of the children were taken for care within 24 hours of perceived onset of the illness.

CONCLUSION

IMCI targeted childhood illnesses were prevalent and poor maternal response that could contribute to complicated outcome was identified.