Journals Information
Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 3(2), pp. 49 - 54
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2015.030201
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Recognizing the Danger Signs and Health Seeking Behaviour of Mothers in Childhood Illness in Karachi, Pakistan
Anwar-ul-Haq 1, Hameed Mumtaz Durrani 2,*, Ramesh Kumar 3, Salma Mumtaz Durrani 4
1 Airport Health Dept. Karachi, Ministry of National Health Services Regulation & Coordination Government of Pakistan
2 Department of Public Health & Community Medicine, AJK Medical College – University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan
3 Health Services Academy, Pakistan
4 Alumni - Rawalpindi Medical College, Pakistan
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Maternal behaviour regarding child health care has been recognized as an important social and anthropological factor explaining high mortality rates among children under five years of age. Delays in seeking appropriate health care is known to be the largest risk behaviour which contribute large number of child deaths in developing countries especially in Pakistan. Mothers are mostly responsible for their child health, however, the importance of knowledge among mothers while in identifying the danger sign in their child are very imperative for preventing their illness. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted in an urban setting in Karachi city. The objective of study was to assess the knowledge of mother's regarding danger signs in their child illness and their care seeking behavior with aims to improve the neonatal and child health in Pakistan. Results: The majority of respondent mothers (81.5%) were literate, housewives (90%). Regarding child care the mothers are responsible for the immediate needs of their child. In the context of breast feeding and immunization of the infants, majority of the mothers were aware of practicing early initiation and uses of colostrum because of its importance. Although a large proportion of mothers (90.1%) sought 'appropriate' care for childhood illness, generally care was sought from private doctors (69.4%) instead of government medical practitioners. Conclusion: Study concluded that the Health seeking behviour of mothers has been found appropriate, however, their knowledge regarding the danger signs and illness of their children was reported low. It is recommended that some urgent awareness intervention by the policy makers for reducing the child death should be given to increase their knowledge on the danger sign of child diseases in Pakistan.
KEYWORDS
Child Health Care, Maternal Behaviour, Childhood Illness
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Anwar-ul-Haq , Hameed Mumtaz Durrani , Ramesh Kumar , Salma Mumtaz Durrani , "Recognizing the Danger Signs and Health Seeking Behaviour of Mothers in Childhood Illness in Karachi, Pakistan," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 49 - 54, 2015. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2015.030201.
(b). APA Format:
Anwar-ul-Haq , Hameed Mumtaz Durrani , Ramesh Kumar , Salma Mumtaz Durrani (2015). Recognizing the Danger Signs and Health Seeking Behaviour of Mothers in Childhood Illness in Karachi, Pakistan. Universal Journal of Public Health, 3(2), 49 - 54. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2015.030201.