Caregivers’ early malaria treatment-seeking behavior for under-five age of children in Hawa Gelan District, Ethiopia 2024: a facility-based cross-sectional study

Timely diagnosis and effective treatment of malaria are critical for reducing disease progression and mortality, particularly among children under five years of age. Caregivers’ early treatment-seeking behavior plays a pivotal role in decreasing child morbidity and mortality; however, its magnitude and determinants remain insufficiently explored in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of early malaria treatment-seeking behavior and associated factors among caregivers of children under five years of age attending selected public health facilities in the Hawa Gelan District, Ethiopia, in 2024. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 15 to July 30, 2024, involving 422 participants selected through systematic random sampling. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Binary logistic regression was applied to identify predictors of early treatment-seeking behavior, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Early malaria treatment-seeking behavior was defined as seeking appropriate malaria treatment within 24 h of recognizing the onset of malaria-related symptoms. The proportion of caregivers’ early malaria treatment-seeking behavior for children diagnosed with malaria was 214(50.8%). Smaller family size <6 (AOR = 3.50 [95% CI: 1.82,6.75]), being a farmer (AOR = 3.28 [95% CI: 1.36,7.92]), mothers who delivered in health facilities (AOR = 5.76 [95% CI: 3.18,10.42]), higher household income≥7500ETB [AOR = 3.31 [95% CI: 1.62,6.76]), and shorter distance to the health facility (AOR = 4.40 [95% CI: 2.16,8.95]) were associated with early malaria treatment-seeking behavior. Early malaria treatment-seeking behavior among caregivers of children under the age of five was suboptimal in the Hawa Gelan District. Family size, occupation, institutional delivery, household income, and proximity to health facilities were all significant predictors. Strengthening healthcare access through mobile clinics, empowering community health workers, and addressing socioeconomic disparities may enhance caregivers’ timely treatment-seeking behavior.