Determinants of prompt healthcare-seeking behavior among mothers of under-five children with diarrhea diseases in Shinyanga District Council in Shinyanga Region, Tanzania: an analytical cross-sectional study

Globally, diarrhea diseases (DDs) among under-five children is a public health concern. In Tanzania, prompt health seeking among mothers for the under-five children with DDs remains a significant challenge, leading to severe health consequences and increased morbidity and mortality in this age group. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with prompt healthcare-seeking behavior among mothers of under-fives with DDs in Shinyanga District Council (DC), Shinyanga Region, Tanzania. This was an analytical cross-sectional study that employed a quantitative approach and was conducted in Shinyanga DC. A four-stage sampling technique was used to obtain a representative sample of 373 mothers. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariable analyses were performed. All analyses were conducted using STATA version 15. The proportion of prompt healthcare-seeking behavior among mothers of under-fives with DDs was 25.5%. After controlling for other covariates, significant factors included mothers with university education (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR = 4.29; 95% CI:1.23–14.94; p = 0.022), higher income earning 400,000 TZS and above (AOR = 1.89; 95%CI:1.11–3.23; p = 0.019). Moreover, being aware of DDs danger signs (AOR = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.34–2.58; p-value < 0.001), those with support from their male partners (AOR = 7.50;95% CI:2.40–8.50; p < 0.001). Conversely, high transportation costs independently reduced the likelihood of prompt care by more than half (AOR = 0.42; 95%CI: 0.29–0.61; p < 0.001) and long time spent at healthcare facility (HCF) (AOR = 0.30; 95%CI: 0.10–0.70; p = 0.006). The prompt healthcare-seeking behaviour among mothers of under-fives with DDs in Shinyanga DC was found to be suboptimal. Its significant determinants included the mothers’ higher education; knowledge of danger signs and long time spent at (HCF) among others. Addressing these determinants by community members and providers at the HCFs of implementation might increase prompt healthcare-seeking behavior among mothers of under-fives with DDs.