Assessment of Healthcare Seeking Behaviour Among Febrile Children in Katsina State

Timely and appropriate healthcare seeking for febrile illness in children under five is critical for preventing malaria and other febrile illness complications, yet seeking behaviour in rural northern Nigeria is shaped by multiple social, economic, and cultural factors. This study assessed healthcare seeking behaviour for febrile illness among caregivers of children under five in Katsina State, North West Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 250 caregivers from rural communities in Dutsin-Ma, Malumfashi, and Mashi LGAs using multistage sampling. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire collected data on initial response to childhood fever, healthcare facility preferences, reasons for self-treatment or delay, and previous illness outcomes. Results showed that the most common first response to childhood fever was purchase of over-the-counter medications from patent medicine vendors, reported by 58.4 percent of respondents. Formal healthcare facility visit within 24 hours of fever onset occurred in only 29.2 percent of cases. Barriers to prompt facility attendance included cost (67.6 percent), facility distance (54.8 percent), perceived minor illness severity (43.2 percent), and preference for traditional healers (31.6 percent). Children of mothers with at least secondary education were significantly more likely to receive prompt formal care (OR 3.2; p < 0.001). Previous facility treatment satisfaction was a positive predictor of appropriate healthcare seeking (p < 0.01). Recommendations include community-based health education, subsidised transportation, and improved facility outreach to strengthen appropriate care-seeking behaviour in rural Katsina. Keywords: healthcare seeking behaviour, febrile illness, children under five, Katsina State, North West Nigeria