Mothers' Health-seeking Behaviour for Children Under five Years in Rural Communities in the Cape Coast Metropolis

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate mothers’ health-seeking behaviour for children under-five years in rural communities in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Specifically, the study looked at mothers' perception of childhood illness; motivations and challenges to health-seeking behaviour. The study employed a qualitative approach. Guided by the adapted planned behaviour theory, 42 mothers were purposively selected and interviewed. Thirty mothers from five communities within five kilometers radius to healthcare facility and 12 mothers from two communities outside five kilometers radius to healthcare facility were chosen. The analysis was presented with text and quotations. The results of the study showed that malaria was common among all the selected communities. It was noted that respondents' level of education influenced their perception of childhood illness while subscription to health insurance motivated respondents to seek health care regardless of their background characteristics. Decisions on time to initiate action and where to seek health care were affected by the respondents’ religion, poor communication was stated by low income earners while unavailability of health facility was mentioned as a challenge to health seeking. It is recommended that the Cape Coast Metropolitan Health Directorate should organise refresher courses for health workers in the Metropolis to enhance their communication skills. Also, further studies need to be done on religion and mothers’ health-seeking decision making.