Dissertation (MSc Pediatric Nursing)The problem of healthcare-seeking behaviors is inadequate all over the world particularly in low and middle-income countries. Poor health-seeking behavior is reported to result in the delay in seeking appropriate care and increase the risk of morbidity and death in children. Despite all health consequences resulted from poor health-seeking behavior, the factors influencing it were unclear yet. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the determinants of healthcare-seeking behaviors among caregivers of children under-five years with childhood illnesses in the Kilimanjaro Region. A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to August 2020. Structured questionnaires were administered to caregivers of under-five children with childhood illnesses from 384 participants in two selected districts in the Kilimanjaro region. The obtained data were analyzed by using computer software, SPSS version 20. Descriptive analysis of frequencies was done to describe the pattern of health care seeking behavior among respondents while the Chi-square test and Multivariate Logistic regression model were used to explore the association between hypothesized factors and health care seeking behavior among participants. Among 384 respondents (n-245, 63.8%) had inappropriate health-seeking behaviors. Determinants of inappropriate health care seeking behaviors were number of children in the family [more than 3 children (AOR=3.07;95% CI=1.59-5.91, p= 0.001)]; education level [primary education AOR= 3.32;95%CI=1.26-8.72, p=0.015)]; Distance [more than 5kms to health facility (AOR=2.06;95%CI=0.99-4.28, P=0.051)];perceived cost less to seek treatment to traditional healers (AOR=3.87; 95%CI=1.65-9.07, p=0.002);perceived cost less to self-medicate (AOR=1.80;95% CI=1.05-3.07, p=0.031); perceived traditional healers treat patients with respect and dignity (AOR=2.60;95%CI=1.24-5.46,p=0.011) and high cost at health facility (AOR=2.476;95%CI=1.547-3.962, p<0.001). The majority of study respondents had inappropriate healthcare-seeking behaviors.