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Abstract
Background: Health-seeking behaviours among caregivers, particularly mothers, are essential to addressing childhood illnesses and reducing under-five mortality rates. In low-income settings like Nigeria, factors such as socioeconomic status, cultural beliefs, and healthcare access significantly impact these behaviours. Understanding the determinants of these behaviours can
aid in developing effective interventions to improve healthcare utilization for common childhood illnesses. Aim: To examine the patterns and determinants of health-seeking behaviours among mothers of
under-five children in Benin City, Nigeria, aiming to identify factors influencing healthcare decisions and improve child health outcomes. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 550 mothers of children under five selected by multi-staged sampling technique. Data collection involved the use of pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaires assessing socio-demographic factors, healthcare-seeking patterns, and determinants impacting these decisions. Data entry and
statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 and the analysis included both univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis to identify significant predictors of health-seeking behaviour. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Findings indicated that 474 (86.2%) mothers received antenatal care during pregnancy, predominantly from public hospitals, 311 (65.6%) with most having at least four visits, 459 (96.8%). Despite high antenatal attendance, 284 (65.7% ) mothers sought treatment for childhood illnesses from pharmacies rather than hospitals, 108 (25.0%) influenced by factors such as cost, 230 (53.2%), proximity, 135 (31.3%), quality of health services rendered, 92 (21.3%) and attitude of healthcare personnel, 61 (14.1%). Key determinants of formal healthcare
xv utilization included maternal education level, income, and household size, with higher hospital deliveries among mothers with increasing level of education (p < <0.001), and with employment (p = 0.007), higher visitation of antenatal clinics with increasing income (p = 0.007) and higher proportion of hospital treatment of sick children with decreasing household size (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Economic, educational, and cultural factors substantially influenced health-seeking behaviours among mothers for under-five children. Targeted interventions to improve maternal health literacy, enhance healthcare access, and reduce treatment costs could promote timely and appropriate healthcare-seeking behaviour, ultimately contributing to reduced childhood
morbidity and mortality. Keywords: Health-seeking behaviour; Childhood illnesses; Mothers; Determinants; Healthcare access, Under-five mortality; Nigeria.
aid in developing effective interventions to improve healthcare utilization for common childhood illnesses. Aim: To examine the patterns and determinants of health-seeking behaviours among mothers of
under-five children in Benin City, Nigeria, aiming to identify factors influencing healthcare decisions and improve child health outcomes. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 550 mothers of children under five selected by multi-staged sampling technique. Data collection involved the use of pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaires assessing socio-demographic factors, healthcare-seeking patterns, and determinants impacting these decisions. Data entry and
statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 and the analysis included both univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis to identify significant predictors of health-seeking behaviour. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Findings indicated that 474 (86.2%) mothers received antenatal care during pregnancy, predominantly from public hospitals, 311 (65.6%) with most having at least four visits, 459 (96.8%). Despite high antenatal attendance, 284 (65.7% ) mothers sought treatment for childhood illnesses from pharmacies rather than hospitals, 108 (25.0%) influenced by factors such as cost, 230 (53.2%), proximity, 135 (31.3%), quality of health services rendered, 92 (21.3%) and attitude of healthcare personnel, 61 (14.1%). Key determinants of formal healthcare
xv utilization included maternal education level, income, and household size, with higher hospital deliveries among mothers with increasing level of education (p < <0.001), and with employment (p = 0.007), higher visitation of antenatal clinics with increasing income (p = 0.007) and higher proportion of hospital treatment of sick children with decreasing household size (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Economic, educational, and cultural factors substantially influenced health-seeking behaviours among mothers for under-five children. Targeted interventions to improve maternal health literacy, enhance healthcare access, and reduce treatment costs could promote timely and appropriate healthcare-seeking behaviour, ultimately contributing to reduced childhood
morbidity and mortality. Keywords: Health-seeking behaviour; Childhood illnesses; Mothers; Determinants; Healthcare access, Under-five mortality; Nigeria.
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