Background: Childhood mortality is high in the developing countries. Pneumonia and diarrhoea
remain as predominant causes of under-five child mortality though the causes of death from
these diseases are preventable and treatable. The Bangladesh government has committed to stop
preventable child deaths in the country by 2035. Lack of parents’ knowledge or awareness about
available services and perception about the quality of care offered are widening the gaps in
caretakers’ knowledge and care-seeking behaviour. The study aimed to understand the
determinants of health-seeking behaviour of mothers during childhood diarrhoea and pneumonia
in a coastal area of Bangladesh.
Methods: Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected in this cross-sectional study to
explore the determinants of mothers’ healthcare seeking behavior during childhood diarrhoea
and pneumonia. The study was conducted in two villages of Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar
district during October 2013 to March 2014.
Results: Out of 392 mothers who were interviewed, 139 (35.5%) and 101 (25.5%) mothers
reported that at least once their children suffered from diarrhoea and presumed pneumonia,
respectively, in the preceding 12 months. The highest number of mothers (32.4%) sought selfcare
or home remedy in the first visit during 1st episode of childhood diarrhoea. On the other
hand, 32.7% mothers sought care from qualified service providers in the first visit during 1st
episode of childhood presumed pneumonia. Mother’ age, household income, health expenditure
and mother’s knowledge regarding danger signs acted as determinants in seeking appropriate
healthcare during childhood diarrhoea. Including all these factors, mothers’ education also
played the role of determinant for mothers to seek appropriate care during childhood pneumonia.
Conclusion: To improve resilience of coastal health to disaster, along with increasing mother’s
awareness regarding child mortality and danger signs, it is necessary to do a facility assessment
and health-seeking behaviour survey during and after emergency period.