Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Childhood illnesses remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in low-and middle-income countries, and the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) strategy was developed by WHO and UNICEF to improve child survival through standardized care.Despite nationwide adoption in Bangladesh, gaps in utilization and perceptions of IMCI services persist, particularly in coastal areas.This study aimed to explore care-seeking behavior and perceptions of service receivers regarding IMCI services at Upazila Health Complexes (UHCs).Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2020 in three coastal UHCs-Pekua (Cox's Bazar), Banshkhali, and Anowara (Chattogram).A total of 320 service receivers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographics, care-seeking practices, accessibility, and perceptions of IMCI services.Data were analyzed descriptively.Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of NIPSOM, and informed consent was secured from all participants Results: The majority of respondents were female (88.8%), with a mean age of 28.07 ± 7.80 years.About 51.9% were regular IMCI users, while 48.1% were irregular.Half (50%) lived within 30 minutes of the UHC, and rickshaw was the most common transport (47.5%).Only 51.7% sought medical consultation for every child illness episode, while others relied on pharmacies or home care.Although 59.4% accessed IMCI services on their own initiative, respondents reported challenges with poor seating (69.4%), long waiting times (56.3%), and unusable toilets (52.8%).Conclusion: While awareness and provider communication were strong, infrastructural gaps and care-seeking barriers remain.Strengthening community engagement, facility readiness, and supportive services may enhance IMCI utilization in coastal Bangladesh.
Source: ARC Journal of Pediatrics
Authors: Mohammed Hasan, Susmita Podder Irani, Anamika Panthadas, Shourav Bhattacharjee, Nishat Barman
Institution: North East Medical College
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4414522959
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