BACKGROUND: Ethiopia adopted a new strategy called integrated community case management to address common childhood illness (ICCM). This strategy has been introduced in some rural districts of Bale zone. It has multiple functions, involving assessment of sick children at community health post levels. Despite this, the efficacy of this strategy has not been investigated. Aim: This study aimed to assess the level of ICCM service utilisation and factors influencing this at health posts in Agarfa district. METHODS: Cross sectional and phenomenological methodologies were employed in this study. Data were collected from 401 mothers using questionnaires and 29 participants using in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistical approaches. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. RESULT: The utilsation of ICCM services is limited among caregivers in rural communities. There is a range of factors responsible for the limited utilisation. Examples of these include absence of health extension workers at health posts, caregivers’ negative perception of ICCM service, socio-cultural factors, level of education and household finance. The most common childhood illnesses noted were diarrhoea, followed by fever and cough. Caregivers seek help from HEWs at health posts two or more days after idenfying signs and symptoms of these illnesses. CONCLUSION: Behavioural messages to address prevailing negative attitudes and socio-economic barriers to accessing health care would help improve uptake of ICCM services / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Ethiopia adopted a new strategy called integrated community case management to address common childhood illness (ICCM). This strategy has been introduced in some rural districts of Bale zone. It has multiple functions, involving assessment of sick children at community health post levels. Despite this, the efficacy of this strategy has not been investigated. Aim: This study aimed to assess the level of ICCM service utilisation and factors influencing this at health posts in Agarfa district. METHODS: Cross sectional and phenomenological methodologies were employed in this study. Data were collected from 401 mothers using questionnaires and 29 participants using in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistical approaches. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. RESULT: The utilsation of ICCM services is limited among caregivers in rural communities. There is a range of factors responsible for the limited utilisation. Examples of these include absence of health extension workers at health posts, caregivers’ negative perception of ICCM service, socio-cultural factors, level of education and household finance. The most common childhood illnesses noted were diarrhoea, followed by fever and cough. Caregivers seek help from HEWs at health posts two or more days after idenfying signs and symptoms of these illnesses. CONCLUSION: Behavioural messages to address prevailing negative attitudes and socio-economic barriers to accessing health care would help improve uptake of ICCM services / Health Studies / M. A. (Public Health)