Inequalities in health care utilization for common illnesses among under five children in Bangladesh
Abstract Background Reducing child mortality and morbidity is a public health concern globally. Like many other developing countries, Bangladesh is struggling to improve child health status as the use of medical treatment is still not at a satisfactory level. Hence, the objective of this study is to...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Pediatrics |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12887-020-02109-6 |
| _version_ | 1811223919951085568 |
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| author | Moriam khanam Emran Hasan |
| author_facet | Moriam khanam Emran Hasan |
| author_sort | Moriam khanam |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Reducing child mortality and morbidity is a public health concern globally. Like many other developing countries, Bangladesh is struggling to improve child health status as the use of medical treatment is still not at a satisfactory level. Hence, the objective of this study is to identify the contributing factors for inequalities in the use of medical treatment for common childhood illnesses in Bangladesh. Methods The study used data from the latest Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS)-2014. Children who had diarrhea, fever and cough in the 2 weeks preceding the survey were included in this study. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to unearth the influential factors for medical treatment use among under-five children with childhood illnesses. In the multivariate logistic regression, adjusted odds ratios with p values less than 0.05 were considered for determining significant predictors. Results This study found that only 37% of children suffering from fever/cough sought medical treatment while this figure was approximately 36% for diarrhea. Age of children, household wealth status, father’s education level, region of residence, number of children in the household, access to electronic media were identified as factors contributing to inequality in health care utilization for common childhood illnesses in Bangladesh. Conclusions Various socio-economic factors substantially influence the utilization of medical treatment for childhood illnesses. Therefore, to enhance equitable access to health care for children, interventions should be designed targeting children from households with low socio-economic status. Various awareness-raising health education programs, poverty alleviation programs especially for rural areas can contribute in this regard. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T08:41:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-83218588b4704bf29dcbc8dd39f719fa |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2431 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T08:41:48Z |
| publishDate | 2020-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Pediatrics |
| spelling | doaj.art-83218588b4704bf29dcbc8dd39f719fa2022-12-22T03:39:52ZengBMCBMC Pediatrics1471-24312020-05-0120111110.1186/s12887-020-02109-6Inequalities in health care utilization for common illnesses among under five children in BangladeshMoriam khanam0Emran Hasan1Institute of Health Economics, University of DhakaDepartment of Economics, Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP)Abstract Background Reducing child mortality and morbidity is a public health concern globally. Like many other developing countries, Bangladesh is struggling to improve child health status as the use of medical treatment is still not at a satisfactory level. Hence, the objective of this study is to identify the contributing factors for inequalities in the use of medical treatment for common childhood illnesses in Bangladesh. Methods The study used data from the latest Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS)-2014. Children who had diarrhea, fever and cough in the 2 weeks preceding the survey were included in this study. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to unearth the influential factors for medical treatment use among under-five children with childhood illnesses. In the multivariate logistic regression, adjusted odds ratios with p values less than 0.05 were considered for determining significant predictors. Results This study found that only 37% of children suffering from fever/cough sought medical treatment while this figure was approximately 36% for diarrhea. Age of children, household wealth status, father’s education level, region of residence, number of children in the household, access to electronic media were identified as factors contributing to inequality in health care utilization for common childhood illnesses in Bangladesh. Conclusions Various socio-economic factors substantially influence the utilization of medical treatment for childhood illnesses. Therefore, to enhance equitable access to health care for children, interventions should be designed targeting children from households with low socio-economic status. Various awareness-raising health education programs, poverty alleviation programs especially for rural areas can contribute in this regard.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12887-020-02109-6Childhood illnessesInequalitiesMedical treatmentUtilizationBangladesh |
| spellingShingle | Moriam khanam Emran Hasan Inequalities in health care utilization for common illnesses among under five children in Bangladesh BMC Pediatrics Childhood illnesses Inequalities Medical treatment Utilization Bangladesh |
| title | Inequalities in health care utilization for common illnesses among under five children in Bangladesh |
| title_full | Inequalities in health care utilization for common illnesses among under five children in Bangladesh |
| title_fullStr | Inequalities in health care utilization for common illnesses among under five children in Bangladesh |
| title_full_unstemmed | Inequalities in health care utilization for common illnesses among under five children in Bangladesh |
| title_short | Inequalities in health care utilization for common illnesses among under five children in Bangladesh |
| title_sort | inequalities in health care utilization for common illnesses among under five children in bangladesh |
| topic | Childhood illnesses Inequalities Medical treatment Utilization Bangladesh |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12887-020-02109-6 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT moriamkhanam inequalitiesinhealthcareutilizationforcommonillnessesamongunderfivechildreninbangladesh AT emranhasan inequalitiesinhealthcareutilizationforcommonillnessesamongunderfivechildreninbangladesh |