Assessment of morbidity profile among under five children and treatment seeking behavior of their parents in district kangra himachal pradesh

Background: Morbidity can be defined as the “disease load”. Low morbidity explains that the health status is better and high morbidity shows poor health status. Although low morbidity may occur due to actual lack of disease consciousness and under reporting. Healthcare-seeking behaviour is also of prime importance and is pivotal in the well-being of the individual as well as the community. The process of responding to perceived ‘illness’ or seeking care involves multiple steps. Mother’s decision to seek healthcare is not an off isolated event, but a composite result of her personal needs, social forces, actions of healthcare providers, and the location of services. Objective: To understand the morbidity profile and health care seeking behavior of parents of children, 0-5 yrs of age in Himachal Pradesh. Methods: A community based cross- sectional study on 2400 children of age less then and equal to 59 months was conducted. Morbidity profile and socio demographic indicators along with other variables were defined as indicators of health and health care seeking behaviour. The study was conducted using 30 cluster techniques with 80 participants from each cluster of district Kangra. Results: Respiratory tract infections were the leading cause of morbidity followed by Diarrhoea and Vomiting among study participants. We also found that out of these 58.05 % of the rural participants were belong to Lower middle class family whereas among urban participants 65.03% belonged to upper middle class. Parents of 47.1 % sick participants took their child to health facility. Conclusion: We came to know that respiratory infections are still the leading cause of morbidity and peripheral health institutions are the most trusted health facilities for seeking health advice. Although private practioner, specially Ayurveda doctors in rural area plays significant role.