“The determinants of the help seeking behaviour of parents having children with minor illness in Francistown, Botswana : “Case Study of Fungal Skin Infection”

Abstract

Aim: To understand the help seeking behaviour of parents having children with minor illnesses such as fungal skin infection and to respond appropriately to such behaviours. Design: A descriptive qualitative study using the free attitude interview technique Method: The study was conducted in Francistown City Council Clinics. Eight participants were interviewed. Using purposeful sampling chose the participants. Each respondent was asked the same exploratory question “How much do you know about this skin infection?” Exploratory question (Setswana) is “O itse go le kae ka bolwetsi jone jo jwa letlalo?” The probe follow up questions were used to encourage elaboration on the topic. The discussions were held in Setswana language. The interviews were audio – taped. The recordings were transcribed, and the ideas that emerged were developed into themes. Results: Most of the respondents believed that Skin fungal infection was common in the community and it was generally called skin rash. It was believed to be infectious that it may be associated with HIV infection. Some however believe that its cause was known and it was treatable The help seeking behaviour of parents having children with minor illness like skin fungal infection falls within these reasons: Availability of alternative treatment, Concern of the child especially if the child complains about the problem, 6 Concern of the parents when the parents consider such minor health concern as a health problem for the child, issues around difficult in management of the problem, If problem is tolerable. Conclusion: Residents of Francistown city council, which was where the study was carried out perceived skin fungal infection as a common infectious skin problem, that is treatable. There is adequate knowledge of the symptoms of skin fungal infection among the participants. Some of the participants believed that skin fungal infection is common in children because they see the skin lesion as a normal change in colour for children before adult life. It was believe that as they get older the change in colour will then disappear. Many of them believe that they do not know the cause and even the few that felt that they knew the cause could not give a good account of the exact cause of the skin fungal infection, only one said that it is caused by a germ. Most of the participants were aware that it is treatable but yet they were not keen seeking for help when they come to the clinics because of one or two of the following reasons: Availability of alternative treatment; Concern of the child especially if the child complains about the problem; Concern of the parents when the parents consider such minor health concern as a health on the child; Issues around difficult in management of the problem; Health problem being tolerable