Understanding the nature, drivers, and policies on health-seeking for children in Anglophone sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review of literature

TY - JOUR

T1 - Understanding the nature, drivers, and policies on health-seeking for children in Anglophone sub-Saharan Africa

T2 - A scoping review of literature

AU - Agwu, Prince

AU - Obi, Chinelo

AU - Orjiakor, Charles

AU - Ugwu, Chinweoke

AU - Nkemjika, Chimdi

AU - Nwafor, Nneka

AU - Agu, Ifunanya

AU - Okoli, Ekpereamaka

AU - Oreh, Adaeze

AU - Mbachu, Chinyere

AU - Hutchinson, Eleanor

AU - Okoye, Uzoma Odera

AU - Onwujekwe, Obinna

N1 - © 2026 The Author(s).

PY - 2026/5/23

Y1 - 2026/5/23

N2 - Objective The health status of African children is among the worst globally, despite various policies and interventions at regional, national, and subnational levels. This situation is closely linked to the health-seeking choices to which children are exposed. Using a scoping review, we examined evidence on health-seeking behaviors that concern children in Anglophone sub-Saharan Africa (ASA), and policies and programs that could improve these behaviors and health outcomes. Methods A total of 71 peer-reviewed literature from twelve ASA countries that met our eligibility criteria were included in the scoping review. Results Child-related health-seeking behaviors in ASA are suboptimal and rarely compliant with child protection legislation and safeguarding practices. Factors at micro and macro levels, encompassing individuals, households, health facilities, communities, and society, influence and sustain poor health-seeking norms and practices, leading to adverse health outcomes for children. While policies to address these shortcomings exist, implementation gaps persist. Conclusions Improving the efficiency of child-centered health service delivery, strengthening referral practices, providing health insurance coverage for children, prioritizing efficient delivery of school health services, and advancing children's agency in healthcare, as well as their health rights, will significantly enhance child-related health-seeking and health outcomes for children in ASA.

AB - Objective The health status of African children is among the worst globally, despite various policies and interventions at regional, national, and subnational levels. This situation is closely linked to the health-seeking choices to which children are exposed. Using a scoping review, we examined evidence on health-seeking behaviors that concern children in Anglophone sub-Saharan Africa (ASA), and policies and programs that could improve these behaviors and health outcomes. Methods A total of 71 peer-reviewed literature from twelve ASA countries that met our eligibility criteria were included in the scoping review. Results Child-related health-seeking behaviors in ASA are suboptimal and rarely compliant with child protection legislation and safeguarding practices. Factors at micro and macro levels, encompassing individuals, households, health facilities, communities, and society, influence and sustain poor health-seeking norms and practices, leading to adverse health outcomes for children. While policies to address these shortcomings exist, implementation gaps persist. Conclusions Improving the efficiency of child-centered health service delivery, strengthening referral practices, providing health insurance coverage for children, prioritizing efficient delivery of school health services, and advancing children's agency in healthcare, as well as their health rights, will significantly enhance child-related health-seeking and health outcomes for children in ASA.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Children

KW - Child health policy

KW - Child protection

KW - Health seeking

KW - Under-5

U2 - 10.1016/j.ssmhs.2026.100246

DO - 10.1016/j.ssmhs.2026.100246

M3 - Article

SN - 2949-8562

VL - 7

JO - SSM - Health Systems

JF - SSM - Health Systems

M1 - 100246

ER -