Individual-related determinants of health-seeking behaviours for child health services among mothers getting health care at Katabi Military Hospital, Wakiso District. A cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/5wp2hm57Keywords:
Individual related determinants, High fever, child health services, healthcare-seeking behaviour, Katabi Military HospitalAbstract
Background:
Globally, common causes of under-five morbidity and mortality in developing countries could be substantially reduced through timely healthcare-seeking behaviour (HCSB) by families. The study aimed to identify the individual-related determinants of health-seeking behaviours for child health services among mothers getting health care at Katabi Military Hospital, Wakiso District.
Methodology:
A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted at Katabi Military Hospital, Wakiso District, among 45 mothers seeking child health services. Convenience sampling and a self-administered questionnaire captured sociodemographic, individual, socioeconomic, and facility-related factors influencing health-seeking behaviour. Sample size was determined using the Kish-Leslie formula. Data were collected with institutional approval, managed, and analysed using Microsoft Excel to generate percentages. Quality assurance involved pretesting the tool, while ethical clearance, informed consent, and confidentiality were ensured throughout the study. Validity and reliability were strengthened through supervision, data handling, and secure storage.
Results:
Results showed that most respondents were aged above 35 years (42.2%), followed by 25-34 years (33.3%) and 15-24 years (24.5%). Over half had primary education (51.1%), 40.0% secondary, and 8.9% tertiary. Individual factors revealed that 80.0% reported household decision-making power as a stronger predictor of child health-seeking than education. High fever was considered the most serious illness (51.1%), followed by severe diarrhoea (28.9%), persistent cough (15.6%), and unconsciousness (4.4%). Most mothers (84.4%) agreed that education influences care-seeking. Access to health information improved behaviour for 60.0%, while 75.6% believed knowledge of service availability enhanced timely utilisation.
Conclusion:
Maternal autonomy played a critical role in timely child health-care seeking.
Recommendation:
Mothers should be empowered to make independent health-related decisions for their children through community education and gender-equity interventions.
References
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3. Naseem, S., & Ghaffar, M. (2024). Socio-economic factors and health-seeking behaviors among mothers in Pakistan. Journal of Public Health Research, 13(1), 346–352.
4. Susanto, S., et al. (2024). Determinants of maternal health-seeking behavior for stunted children in Indonesian community health centers: A cross-sectional study. Population Medicine.
5. Adedokun, S. T., & Yaya, S. (2020). Factors influencing mothers’ health care seeking behaviour for their children: Evidence from 31 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. BMC Health Services Research, 20, 842. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05683-8
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Copyright (c) 2026 Sharon Akello, Jaliah Namutebi, Immaculate Prosperia Naggulu, Jane Frank Nalubega, Hasifa Nansereko, Francisco Ssemuwemba (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
