Utilisation ofpublic health services by caregivers of children from Khayelitsha presenting with acute diarrhoea

Patterns of public sector health service utilisation in relation to severity and weekday or weekend occurrence were identified for children from Khayelitsha with diarrhoeal disease. The current organisation of local services is inappropriate for the provision ofbasic primary care for these children. Given the inadequate access to appropriate care, caregivers select their health service options rationally. This paper recommends that a 24-hour rehydration unit be established in Khayelitsha to improve the effectiveness and appropriateness of the management ofthese children