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Perception, Management and Barriers to Care-seeking for Childhood Diarrhea, Malaria, and Pneumonia

This report describes the findings of a literature review examining the perceptions and practices of caregivers responding to childhood pneumonia, diarrhea or malaria. A literature search was conducted using the electronic databases PubMed, PsycINFO, Global Health (EBSCO), CINAHL Plus, SocINDEX, and Africa-Wide Information. Quantitative and qualitative studies of childhood illness perceptions and care-seeking behaviors in Ethiopia, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria and Uganda from 2001-2011 were reviewed. There were many similarities across the five country settings concerning care-seeking practices. A common response to childhood illness was to provide initial care in the home or to obtain treatment from a nearby source. The preferred source of care for a sick child varied across location and from urban to rural setting. However, the most common sources of care often included clinics or drug shops. Recommendations include: 1) improve caregiver education 2) make effective drugs available and accessible to community, through drug vendors or community health workers and 3)  target drug shops in an effort to improve demand for appropriate care as caregivers frequently sought treatment from the retail sector.