Abstract:
Back ground: Ensuring timely treatment of diarrhea prevent most cases of diarrhea from
progressing to severe and fatal illness. The reason why caregivers delay in seeking treatment
for diarrhea in under-five children is not studied in the study area. Identifying determinants of
delay in seeking treatment for diarrhea in under-five children among caregivers can help to
reduce morbidities and mortalities of diarrhea.
Objective: To identify determinants of delay in seeking treatment for diarrhea in under-five
children among caregivers in Hadero Tunto Zuriya district, Southern Ethiopia, 2018.
Methods: Facility based case control study was conducted from March 1 to April 20,
2018.The study was done on consecutively selected 338 cases and 338 controls. Data was
collected by face to face interview using structured questionnaire. Data were entered into
Epidata and analyzed by SPSS version 20. Bivariable and multivariable Logistic regression
analysis were conducted to identify determinants of delay in seeking treatment for diarrhea in
under-five children among caregivers.
Results: A total of 338 cases and 338 controls was participated. The mean age of study
participants was 32.21years (SD±5.655) for cases and 28.97 years (SD±5.798) for controls.
Caregivers being aged 40-49 years(AOR=7.89;95%CI:2.48,25.11), Being female child
(AOR=3.71;95%CI:2.30.5.99), illiterate mothers(AOR=6.70;95%CI:2.33,19.28), monthly
income less than or equal 500 ETB(AOR=3.08;95%CI:1.68,5.65), uses walking
(AOD=4.37;95%CI:2.31,8.26), caregivers who believe that health centers may not have
medicine(AOD=5.40;95%CI:2.64,11.04) and self-medication(AOD=7.64;95%CI:3.80,15.39)
were found to be determinants of delay in seeking diarrhea treatment for under five children.
Conclusion and recommendation
Caregivers being aged 40-49 years, being female child, illiterate mothers, monthly income
less than or equal 500 ETB, uses walking, no history of child death, caregivers who believe
that health centers may not have medicine and self-medication were in favor of delay in
seeking treatment for diarrhea in under five children in Hadero Tunto Zuriya District. Hadero
Tunto Zuriya district health office and stakeholders who work on disease prevention and
control program should promote advantage of early treatment of diarrhea.
