Care-seeking during fatal childhood illness in rural South Africa: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study aimed to better understand reasons why children in South Africa die at home, including caregivers' care-seeking experiences, decision-making, choice of treatment provider and barriers to accessing care during a child's final illness.

Design

This qualitative study included semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with caregivers of children who died below the age of 5 years. Data were thematically analysed, and key findings compared with the Pathways to Survival Framework-a model frequently used in the study of child mortality. An adapted model was developed.

Setting

Two rural health and demographic surveillance system (HDSS) sites in South Africa-the Agincourt HDSS and the Africa Health Research Institute.

Participants</

SUBMITTER: Price J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8094335 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature