DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH CARE-SEEKING BEHAVIOR FOR CHILDREN WITH ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS SYMPTOMS: EVIDENCE FROM YEMEN 2022/2023 MULTIPLE INDICATOR CLUSTER SURVEY

Abstract

Zakariya M. S. Mohammed, Sara H. M. Hamad, Sanaa A.H. Mohammed, Omaima A Hamid, Maha M Abdullatif, Asmara Syed, Elhassan Hussein Eltom and Ekramy M. Elmorsy*

Objectives: Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is a leading cause of mortality among children in Yemen. Seeking medical advice is essential to control ARI and improve the outcomes. This study was conducted to determine the factors that influence mothers' or caregivers' healthcare-seeking behaviour for children under five in Yemen based on Using nationally representative demographic and health survey data.

Methods: The study relied on the Yemen 2022/2023 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), which was conducted by the Central Statistics Office of Yemen in collaboration with UNICEF. It adopts a cross-sectional design and provides robust, nationally representative data on the health of women and children.

Results: The study included 19,561 children of whom 52% were males. The overall prevalence of care-seeking for children with ARI symptoms was 35%. The survey logistic regression analysis, showed that the likelihood of care-seeking for children with ARI symptoms was significantly higher among children living in urban areas (UPOR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.27, 2.46) compared to rural areas, in female-headed households (UPOR: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.32, 3.93), and across all wealth levels compared to the poorest, with the highest odds observed among the richest (UPOR: 3.29; 95% CI: 2.17, 4.97). A higher likelihood was also noted for children whose mothers had higher education (UPOR: 2.66; 95% CI: 1.52, 4.67).

Conclusion: The healthcare seeking was unsatisfactory among the parents of children with ARI in Yemen. More awareness outreach and media campaigns are recommended to improve the care-seeking culture among parents.