Determinants of healthcare-seeking behaviour amongst guardians of under-five-year-old children in Vhembe district, Limpopo province

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest under-five mortality rate globally, with 74 deaths per 1000 live births. Children continually die from preventable diseases due to delays in seeking help from healthcare facilities. The study aims to identify determinants of seeking healthcare among guardians of children under-five years in healthcare facilities of Vhembe district in Limpopo province. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study design was followed in this study. Data were collected from 201 guardians of under-five children using a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using Stata Corp, Texas USA 17.0. Approximately 70% of guardians would seek help from the facility when the child has a fever, unable to feed, has convulsions, develops rash all over the body, vomiting, oedema of the feet, weight loss, diarrhoea and cough. About 30% viewed the distance from the facility, financial constraints, lack of believe in the severity and the danger of the illness, and knowing that the health facility is always full as the reasons for the delay in seeking healthcare. Level of education was associated with healthcare-seeking behaviour. To reduce the childhood morbidity and mortality caused by delays in seeking healthcare, it is necessary to develop and implement interventions for improving guardians' educational level, employment and capacity of healthcare providers.