The DHS Program

Global Trends in Care Seeking and Access to Diagnosis and Treatment of Childhood Illnesses (English) 

Document Type

Working Papers

Publication Topic(s)

Child Health and Development

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Bennett, Adam, Thom Eisele, Joseph Keating, and Josh Yukich. 2015. Global Trends in Care Seeking and Access to Diagnosis and Treatment of Childhood Illnesses. DHS Working Papers No. 116. Rockville, Maryland, USA: ICF International.

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Publication Date

March 2015

Publication ID

WP116

Abstract:

Diarrhea, malaria, and acute respiratory infection (ARI) are among the leading causes of child mortality worldwide, with the greatest burden concentrated in developing countries. Child mortality has declined in recent years as a result of socioeconomic development and affordable and effective prevention and treatment options, yet many countries in Asia and Africa are not on track to meet Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4—to reduce child mortality by two-thirds by 2015. Although evidence suggests that an increase in targeted interventions can accelerate child survival, a strong health care system is a necessary prerequisite for sustained reductions in preventable child deaths. An investigation into commonalities across countries and regions is needed to understand trends in treatment-seeking behavior and how sociodemographic and cultural factors interact to influence treatment-seeking modalities. This information will strengthen efficient delivery of care across all levels of the health system. Although many studies have documented barriers to accessing quality care, systematic analysis of these barriers is lacking. Yet large amounts of data are currently available (1) to identify and quantify the major barriers hindering access to quality care, and (2) to specify where these barriers are most prominent, relative to health care needs at the subnational level.