Understanding of diseases and treatment-seeking pattern of childhood illnesses in rural Haryana, India.
Two hundred and sixty respondents were interviewed to know the causes of ten common childhood illnesses, in one community development block in rural Haryana. Chickenpox, measles and marasmus were attributed to supernatural causes by 27%, 28%, and 50% respondents respectively. Furthermore older age groups, illiterates, schedule caste and people living more than 5 km from a Government health post believe more in supernatural causation of disease. By and large, Registered Indigenous Medicine Practitioners (RIMP's) and traditional birth attendants were utilised for curative medicine and obstetric care.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007223:Infant; D009017:Morbidity; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012423:Rural Health