Exploring knowledge on danger signs of common childhood illnesses and associated factors among mothers of under-five children in Central Tigrai, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction Globally, a large number of under-five deaths have occurred from preventable and treatable common childhood illnesses. Therefore, early identification of general danger signs of common childhood illnesses and adhering to appropriate treatment helps to reduce morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of mothers and associated factors on general danger signs of common childhood illnesses of under-five children in Central Tigrai, Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed from February to March 2017. A total of 416 study participants were finally enrolled in the study using simple random sampling technique. A pretested and structured interviewer-based questionnaire was used. Data were entered, coded and analysed using SPSS 22.0. Multivariable logistic regression was used to control the effect of confounders. Results In this study, 44.7% of the mothers had good knowledge of the general danger signs of common childhood illnesses. Mothers' educational status (AOR=1.93, 95%CI=1.09-3.44, p=0.025), occupation of mothers (AOR=5.94, 95%CI=3.17-11.12, p<0.001), childbirth order (AOR=1.85, 95%CI=1.00-3.40, p=0.005) and source of information (AOR=2.19, 95%CI=1.23-3.87, p=0.007) were significantly associated with knowledge of mothers on general danger signs of common childhood illnesses. Conclusions Maternal knowledge of general danger signs of common childhood illnesses was low. Therefore, intervention modalities focusing on improving the educational level, behavioural change communication activities, and access of mothers to health visits are needed.

Mothers’ health care-seeking behavior and associated factors for common childhood illnesses in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Moreover, 4 studies were excluded because they did not report the variable of interest. [23][24][25][26] Finally, 14 crosssectional studies were deemed to be eligible for the current systematic review and meta-analysis, and they were included (Figure 1).…”

Delayed Healthcare Seeking and Associated Factors for Common Childhood Illnesses among Caregivers with Under-Five Children in Southwestern Ethiopia, 2023

“…Good Knowledge of general danger signs: if mothers were able to mention more than three of the nine danger signs identified by the WHO such as not able to breastfeed/ unable to drink or eat, vomits everything, had convulsions/ convulsing now, lethargic or unconscious, fast breathing, severe chest in drawing, fever, low body temperature, movement only when stimulated or no movement even when stimulated otherwise it is poor (41, 42).…”