Ideational factors associated with appropriate care-seeking for fever among caregivers of children under five years of age: a multi-country analysis in sub-Saharan Africa

Several variables were associated with appropriate care-seeking in the three countries, suggesting that specific factors can be leveraged for SBC programmes seeking to increase appropriate care-seeking. First, programmes that expand exposure to malaria-related messages are likely to reach people in need. The modalities needed to reach the needed population vary by country. Health communication emphasizing the need for prompt action after a child's fever onset (i.e. the same or next day) and that care should be sought directly at a health facility will address prevalent current knowledge gaps. Further, programmes may benefit to promote interpersonal discussion about malaria between spouses, families, and friends, particularly if the discussion is centred around the well-being of children in the community. Given the strong trends observed in these factors across three countries, they may also be relevant to other countries in francophone Africa. Finally, country-specific strategic directions are also recommended for factors that were significant in only one country.