Background

In urban Ethiopia, there are substantial gaps in child

health service utilization rates. Socio-demographic

factors including maternal age, educational attainment,

occupation, parity, household wealth, and religion all play

a role in influencing access to services. In urban

Ethiopia:

Nearly 60% of children receive the third,

necessary DPT immunization

Only 40% of children with acute respiratory

infection (ARI) are take to a health facility

for treatment

Only 53% of children with diarrhea receive

appropriate treatment

Understanding inequities in service use and

socio-demographic factors related to these inequities

will help guide urban health program efforts.

Methods

Using data from the 2011 Ethiopian Demographic and

Health Survey, we investigated associations between

use of child health services and socio-demographic

factors. We examined DPT immunization, acute

respiratory infection treatment, and diarrheal

treatment.

Findings

There are substantial inequities in child health service utilization

use in urban Ethiopia. The most prominent socio-demographic

factors tied to service usage rates are wealth and education.*

Determinants of Health Care Seeking for Childhood

Illnesses and Vaccination in Urban Ethiopia

Zelalem Geletu, MSc, John Snow, Inc. Marc Cunningham, MPH, John Snow, Inc.

Sophia Magalona, MPH, John Snow, Inc.

Interpretation

In urban Ethiopia, maternal education and household wealth are the most important

determinants of health care seeking for

childhood illnesses and vaccination.

Health programs in urban Ethiopia

should focus on the poor and less

educated segments of urban

population to improve child health

outcomes.

Acknowledgements This study and poster were made

possible by the generous support of the

American people through the United

States Agency for International

Development (USAID), through the

Maternal and Child Health Integrated

Program. This analysis was conducted in

part to inform the USAID Urban Health

Extension Program in Ethiopia. The

authors’ views do not necessarily reflect

the views of the United States Agency

for International Development or the

United States Government.

John Snow, Inc. Promoting & Improving Health