What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to identify factors influencing prompt healthcare-seeking behavior among mothers of children under five with diarrhea diseases in Shinyanga, Tanzania.

April 8, 2026Open Access

Determinants of prompt healthcare-seeking behavior among mothers of under-five children with diarrhea diseases in Shinyanga District Council in Shinyanga Region, Tanzania: an analytical cross-sectional study

SBShamsu Suleiman BwikizoTanzania Commission for Universities PLPankras LuogaMuhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences DKDeodatus C. V. KakokoMuhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences

Key Points

The study aims to identify factors influencing prompt healthcare-seeking behavior among mothers of children under five with diarrhea diseases in Shinyanga, Tanzania.
Analytical cross-sectional design
Quantitative approach
Four-stage sampling technique to recruit 373 mothers
Data collection via interviewer-administered questionnaire
Statistical analyses using STATA version 15
Only 25.5% of mothers sought prompt healthcare for their children with diarrhea diseases.
Higher education levels in mothers significantly increased the odds of prompt care.
Awareness of danger signs related to diarrhea also positively influenced healthcare-seeking behavior.
High transportation costs and long waiting times at healthcare facilities negatively impacted prompt care-seeking.

Abstract

Globally, diarrhea diseases (DDs) among under-five children is a public health concern. In Tanzania, prompt health seeking among mothers for the under-five children with DDs remains a significant challenge, leading to severe health consequences and increased morbidity and mortality in this age group. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with prompt healthcare-seeking behavior among mothers of under-fives with DDs in Shinyanga District Council (DC), Shinyanga Region, Tanzania. This was an analytical cross-sectional study that employed a quantitative approach and was conducted in Shinyanga DC. A four-stage sampling technique was used to obtain a representative sample of 373 mothers. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariable analyses were performed. All analyses were conducted using STATA version 15. The proportion of prompt healthcare-seeking behavior among mothers of under-fives with DDs was 25.5%. After controlling for other covariates, significant factors included mothers with university education (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR = 4.29; 95% CI:1.23–14.94; p = 0.022), higher income earning 400,000 TZS and above (AOR = 1.89; 95%CI:1.11–3.23; p = 0.019). Moreover, being aware of DDs danger signs (AOR = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.34–2.58; p-value < 0.001), those with support from their male partners (AOR = 7.50;95% CI:2.40–8.50; p < 0.001). Conversely, high transportation costs independently reduced the likelihood of prompt care by more than half (AOR = 0.42; 95%CI: 0.29–0.61; p < 0.001) and long time spent at healthcare facility (HCF) (AOR = 0.30; 95%CI: 0.10–0.70; p = 0.006). The prompt healthcare-seeking behaviour among mothers of under-fives with DDs in Shinyanga DC was found to be suboptimal. Its significant determinants included the mothers’ higher education; knowledge of danger signs and long time spent at (HCF) among others. Addressing these determinants by community members and providers at the HCFs of implementation might increase prompt healthcare-seeking behavior among mothers of under-fives with DDs.

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