biostudies-literatureUnknown26(8)Treleaven EJohnson and Johnson FoundationCRI Foundation<h4>Objectives</h4>To identify social and structural barriers to timely utilisation of qualified providers among children under five years in a high-mortality setting, rural Mali and to analyse how utilisation varies by symptom manifestation.<h4>Methods</h4>Using baseline household survey data from a cluster-randomised trial, we assessed symptom patterns and healthcare trajectories of 5117 children whose mothers reported fever, diarrhoea, bloody stools, cough and/or fast breathing in the preceding two weeks. We examine associations between socio-demographic factors, symptoms and utilisation outcomes in mixed-effect logistic regressions.<h4>Results</h4>Almost half of recently ill children reported multiple symptoms (46.2%). Over half (55.9%) received any treatment, while less than one-quartTropical medicine & international health : TM & IH943-952https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9291065biostudies-literatureRelationship between symptoms, barriers to care and healthcare utilisation among children under five in rural Mali.PMC9291065Liu JTraore MBTreleaven EPadian NCole FLin TKSanogo VDiakite DBoettiger DCissouma SJohnson AKayentao KWhidden CSidibe SfalseRelationship between symptoms, barriers to care and healthcare utilisation among children under five in rural Mali.<h4>Objectives</h4>To identify social and structural barriers to timely utilisation of qualified providers among children under five years in a high-mortality setting, rural Mali and to analyse how utilisation varies by symptom manifestation.<h4>Methods</h4>Using baseline household survey data from a cluster-randomised trial, we assessed symptom patterns and healthcare trajectories of 5117 children whose mothers reported fever, diarrhoea, bloody stools, cough and/or fast breathing in the preceding two weeks. We examine associations between socio-demographic factors, symptoms and utilisation outcomes in mixed-effect logistic regressions.<h4>Results</h4>Almost half of recently ill children reported multiple symptoms (46.2%). Over half (55.9%) received any treatment, while less than one-quart2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Aug2025-04-29T10:39:27.767Z2025-02-19T02:43:36.702ZS-EPMC92910653386665610.1111/tmi.13592