Mothers’ treatment seeking behavior for children with diarrhea: a cross-sectional study in Zambia

Abstract: According to WHO, diarrhea disease is the second leading cause of death worldwide for children under five. Around 525 000 children under five are killed every year by diarrhea. Most deaths from diarrhea occur among children less than 2 years of age living in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. With a comprehensive strategy that ensures all children in need receive critical prevention and treatment measures it is possible to save the lives of millions of children at risk of death from diarrhea. The aim of this study was to identify what kind of treatment has been given to under-five children with symptoms of diarrhea and what kind of care the respondent sought in Zambia, a low-income country. Method: A cross-sectional study with secondary data from Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS). The first-born child under five with diarrhea the last two weeks was selected in this study, to analyze what kind of treatment was given when showing symptoms of diarrhea. Out of the first-born children (n=7048) we found that 1 289 children had diarrhea during the last two weeks before the survey. Result: Of children having diarrhea 80% received some kind of treatment. Thirty eight percent of the children with diarrhea symptoms was given zinc and 67% was given pre-packaged Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS). The first place to seek treatment for the child’s diarrhea was at the Government Health Center (66%)followed by 18% that sought treatment at the Government Health Post. Conclusion: This study showed that the treatment and care seeking behavior for caregivers to under-5 children with diarrhea is of public health concern. Less than half of the children receives zinc as a treatment and 67% receives prepacked ORS. There is a need for education and awareness on the efficacy of ORS and especially zinc in preventing diarrhoea mortality and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals target 3.2.