Lea Christine Prince
Published: 2014
Total Pages:
Get eBook
Despite advances in scientific research and the increased emphasis on and promotion of health interventions by international organizations, mortality and morbidity in young children remain high in Burkina Faso and close to half of the deaths in children under five each year are related to illnesses that can be treated such that death may be avoided. This paper contributes to the literature by offering a better understanding of the failures related to and the actions that could prevent these types of death in the Orodara region of Southwest Burkina Faso. I present an analysis of the determinants of health care decisions as they relate to children suffering from diarrhea, which is accountable for over 10% of under-five deaths in Burkina Faso each year. Next, I explore broader patterns of care-seeking behavior. Specifically, I examine correlations across time and space of care-seeking behavior as it relates to treating ill children. Finally, I estimate and compare the cost-effectiveness of three different scenarios for zinc distribution and delivery to young children for the treatment and/or prevention of diarrhea. Two themes emerge from this body of work. First: policy-makers should encourage investment in village-level health services. Second: information-sharing can result in vicious or virtuous cycles of care-seeking behavior, as it relates to early childhood care, and so investments should be made in improvements to educational programs related to child health care. Specifically, health services and education should be accessible to remote caregivers and should be sensitive to different beliefs, practices, and dialects of different ethnic groups in different regions as well as seasonal constraints specific to agricultural households.