Care Seeking for Diarrheal Illness
Author Information
Author(s): Wiens Kirsten E., Miller Marissa H., Costello Daniel J., Solomon Ashlynn P., Hilbert Skye M., Shipper Andrea G., Lee Elizabeth C., Azman Andrew S.
Primary Institution: Temple University
Hypothesis
What proportion of individuals of any age seek care at hospitals, clinics, or other sources when they have diarrhea?
Conclusion
Most people with diarrhea do not seek care at hospitals or clinics, leading to underestimates of disease burden.
Supporting Evidence
- 32.8% of individuals sought care at hospitals or clinics on average.
- Care seeking was significantly higher for severe diarrhea and cholera compared to general diarrhea.
- Substantial variation in care seeking behavior was observed across studies.
Takeaway
When people have diarrhea, many don't go to the hospital or clinic for help, which means we might not know how many people are really sick.
Methodology
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 166 studies from 62 countries examining care-seeking behavior for diarrhea.
Potential Biases
Potential research bias as hospitals and clinics were more frequently included in survey questionnaires than other sources of care.
Limitations
Limited data on care-seeking from health posts, traditional healers, and community health workers compared to hospitals and clinics.
Participant Demographics
Studies included a mix of children and adults, with a focus on caregivers of children under five.
Statistical Information
P-Value
3.43
Confidence Interval
95% CI 28.1% to 37.9%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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