TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT............................................................................................................................................. i
AUTHORISATION PAGE ................................................................................................................... iii
DEDICATION....................................................................................................................................... iv
ACKNOWLEDGMENT......................................................................................................................... v
ABBREVIATIONS .............................................................................................................................. vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS..................................................................................................................... viii
List of figures.......................................................................................................................................... x
List of tables........................................................................................................................................... xi
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................1
1.0Introduction........................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Back ground......................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Problem Statement............................................................................................................................2
1.3 Purpose of the study..........................................................................................................................3
1.4 Specific objectives............................................................................................................................3
1.5 Research Questions...........................................................................................................................3
1.6 Justification of the study ...................................................................................................................4
CHAPTER TWO ....................................................................................................................................5
LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................................................5
2.0 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Socio factors influencing health care seeking behaviors of caretakers of children below 5 years ...5
2.2 Economic factors influencing health care seeking behaviors of caretakers of children below 5
years........................................................................................................................................................7
2.3 Cultural factors influencing health care seeking behaviors of caretakers of children below 5 years8
CHAPTER THREE ..............................................................................................................................10
METHODOLOGY ...............................................................................................................................10
3.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................10
3.2 Study Design and rationale .............................................................................................................10
3.3 Study setting and rationale..............................................................................................................10
3.4 Study Population.............................................................................................................................11
3.4.1 Sample Size..................................................................................................................................11
ix
3.4.2 Sampling procedure and rationale................................................................................................11
3.4.3 Inclusion criteria ..........................................................................................................................12
3.5 Definition of Variables ...................................................................................................................12
3.6 Research Instruments......................................................................................................................12
3.7 Data Collection Procedure ..............................................................................................................12
3.7.1 Data management.........................................................................................................................13
3.7.2 Data analysis and presentation.....................................................................................................13
3.8 Ethical Considerations ....................................................................................................................13
3.9 Limitation of the study....................................................................................................................13
3.10 Dissemination of results................................................................................................................14
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS .............................................................................................................15
4.0 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................15
4.1 DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS......................................................................................15
4.2 Socio factors influencing health care seeking behaviors of caretakers of children below 5 years. 16
4.4 Cultural factors influencing health care seeking behaviours of caretakers of children below 5 years
..............................................................................................................................................................21
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION AND IMPLICATIONS
..............................................................................................................................................................22
5.0 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................22
5.1.2 Economic factors influencing health care seeking behaviors of caretakers of children below 5
years......................................................................................................................................................23
5.1.3 Cultural factors influencing health care seeking behaviours of caretakers of children below 5
years......................................................................................................................................................24
5.2 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................24
5.3RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................................24
References.............................................................................................................................................26
Appendix I: Consent Form....................................................................................................................30
Appendix II: Questionnaire...................................................................................................................30
Appendix III: Introductory letter...........................................................................................................36
Appendix IV: Map of Uganda showing Kalangala District..................................................................37
ABSTRACT Childhood illnesses present a major public health challenge for developing countries like Uganda which is aggravated by a suboptimal health seeking behaviour by the parents or guardians. Appropriate medical care seeking could prevent a significant number of child deaths and complications. The present study aimed at determining the factors influencing health care seeking behaviours among caretakers of children below 5 years at Bugala Island, Kalangala district. A cross-sectional descriptive study design quantitative in nature was conducted in rural area of Bugala Island using simple random sampling, a total of 50 participants were recruited into the study. Results indicated more than 60% had poor health seeking behaviours associated with increased number of children, Furthermore poor means of transport, high costs of transport and user charges as well as others being delayed in traditional healers. Level of education was found having high influence in early health care seeking behaviours. This study recommends that there be an intensive awareness campaigns through multimedia approach stressing on female literacy, improving on socio-economic status of people along with counselling on early health care seeking practices especially for under 5. Also government should consider Bugala island and Kalangala district in general as special area with unique challenges and put health a health unit at a village level to avoid long distances to reduce mortality and morbidity of children under 5 years. A study on attitudes of health workers in relation to early health care seeking behaviours need to be carried out
