Article ViewAbstractInternational Journal of Medicine and Public Health,2012,2,2,15-17.DOI:10.5530/ijmedph.2.2.4Published:Apr 2012Type:Original ArticleAcute Childhood Illnesses and Health Seeking Behaviour among under five children in a village of Hooghly district, West BengalIndira Dey (Pal), and R. N. Chaudhuri Indira Dey (Pal)1, R. N. Chaudhuri2 1Associate Professor, Deptt. of Community Medicine, Nilratan Sircar Medical College, Kolkata 2Deptt. of Maternal and Child Health, All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Kolkata Abstract:Background: – Acute respiratory infections and diarrhoeal diseases are important causes of morbidity in children worldwide. IMNCI component is addressing these two illnesses in a major way and is concentrating on health care practices of community. Objective: – to find out their health seeking behaviour. Methodology: – A community based , cross-sectional study was conducted in the Mollasimla village of Hooghly district of West Bengal using 2 weeks recall for acute illnesses. Results – It was found that 56.8%, 23.8% and 18.9% children suffered from ARI, fever and diarrhea respectively. Overall treatment rate was above 93% and most of the children were treated in hospitals and health centre. Conclusion: – Acute illnesses are still largely prevalent in the rural community. As mothers are the first care givers, they should be made aware of the preventive measures and the need for seeking treatment. Keywords:acute childhood illnesses; diarrhea; ARI health seeking behavior; under five childrenView:PDF (480.72 KB) PDFClick here to download the PDF file. ‹ Medical Savings Account: Implications for consumer choice, individual responsibility and efficiency up Awareness and perception regarding health insurance in Bangalore rural population ›