[Factors associated with mothers' first therapeutic recourse for children aged 0-5 years in Benin].

Introduction: the purpose of this study was to identify the factors associated with mothers' first therapeutic recourse for children under five years in areas implementing tracer interventions of the high-impact community package in Benin. Methods: we conducted an analytical cross-sectional study involving mothers and their youngest child under five years of age. A multistage random sampling method was applied. The dependent variable was mother's first therapeutic recourse during her youngest child's most recent illness episode. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with mothers' first therapeutic recourse. Results: a total of 448 mothers of children under five years were included. Following the youngest child's most recent illness episode, 52.45% of mothers initially resorted to modern medicine or community health workers, while 47.55% engaged in self-medication, consulted traditional medicine practitioners, or did not seek care at all. Factors associated with mothers' health care' seeking for children under five during the most recent illness episode of their youngest child included Christian or Muslim faith, knowledge of a community health worker, availability of a household toilet, and residence in northern regions of Benin. Conclusion: the identified factors highlight the importance of addressing modifiable elements such as promoting the role of community health workers to improve mothers' timely use of their services.