What are the trends in seeking health care for fever in children under-five in Sierra Leone? evidence from four population-based studies before and after the free health care initiative.

The increase in healthcare-seeking for children under-five with fever followed the introduction of the FHCI in Sierra Leone. Care-seeking for fever varied by the child's age, caregiver's age, household wealth, the sex of the household head and region. Maintaining the FHCI with adequate strategies to address other barriers beyond financial ones is essential to reduce disparities between age groups, regions and, households.