HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOUR
OF COMMUNITY PEOPLE AND KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ON MANAGEMENT OF
COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES AT COMMUNITY LEVEL IN BANGLADESH
A
Hannan1, MQ Hassan2, AKM Fazlur Rahman3,
A Rahman4, M Q-K Talukder5
Institute
of Child and Mother Health, Matuail, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Objective: To know the health
seeking behaviours of community people for common childhood illnesses and
to explore the knowledge of health care providers (HCPs) on management of
common childhood illnesses at the community level in Bangladesh.
Method: A nation wide cross
sectional study was conducted utilizing both qualitative and quantitative
methods. Data was collected
from December 1999 to February 2000. Qualitative data on health seeking
behaviour was documented through 54 focus group discussions with
participation of parents, teachers and students of the community. To assess
knowledge of HCPs on common childhood illnesses (Diarrhoea, ARI, malnutrition, measles, skin problems
and other vaccine preventable diseases), a representative sample of 537 HCPs were
interviewed through a structured pre-tested questionnaire.
Results: Most of the focus
groups stated that they treat their children by village doctors, by
homeopath, by Kabiraj, by traditional healers, in Family welfare
centers/Upazila health complex. Most of the focus groups said that
homeopath treatment is good for children and children like these medicines.
Also this treatment is available nearby and less costly. Majority of the
participants in FGD reported that they do not regularly visit government
hospital because the doctors and other hospital staffs don¡¯t behave well,
are inattentive, neglectful, don¡¯t show respect and charge consultation
fee. Total of mean scores/ marks on common childhood illnesses among
medical officers, medical assistants and family welfare visitors (Out of
21) were 16.93, 13.57 and 12.25 respectively. Total scores/ marks on common
childhood illness among Health assistants, Village doctors and Family
welfare assistants (Out of 17) were 8.97, 7.65 and 7.38 respectively.
Conclusion: The study showed that
most of the community people have less confidence on the services available
in the health care facilities. HCPs working at grass root level are not
knowledgeable on management of common childhood illnesses. More training on
different components of child health including behaviour change
communication (BCC) to be given to health care providers working at grass
root level. Close monitoring and supervision of services at health
care facilities should be ensured.