Why Do Parents Take Their Children to Informal Healthcare Providers? Insights from Bangladesh.

ABSTRACT: In low- and middle-income countries, informal healthcare providers are often the first point of contact for pediatric care. The present qualitative study, conducted in Bangladesh, was designed to explore why parents seek pediatric care from informal providers. Through in-depth interviews with 12 parents of children under 5 years of age, key drivers for visiting informal providers were identified, including geographic and financial accessibility, as well as trust and familiarity. Parents expected informal providers to offer them informed and effective treatment but did not have a clear understanding of evidence-based treatment of pediatric diarrhea. Although informal providers may meet families' immediate needs, they can also undermine formal healthcare visits and follow-ups that are essent

SUBMITTER: Mangadu A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12904251 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature