<![CDATA[Background:Diseases among young children are the major causes of morbidity and mortality particularly in the developing countries. An estimated 13 million infants and children die annually in developing countries. In most developing countries, the health of the children is strongly dependant on maternal healthcare behavior. Evidence on health seeking behavior has been lacking in Central Java, Indonesia, particularly mothers choice to visit pediatrician rather than general practitioner for her ill child. The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with the choice of medical doctor among mothers of children with diarrhea, using Health Belief Model.Subjects and Method:A case control study was carried out at Sangkrah community health center, Surakarta, Central Java, in January 2017. A sample of 164 mothers was selected by fixed disease sampling. The dependent variable was mothers choice to visit doctor. The independent variables were perceived susceptibility, seriousness, threat, benefit, and barrier. The data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by path analysis.Results:The chance of mother decided to visit pediatrician rather than general practitioner was directly increased with strong perceived threat (b= 0.91; 95% CI= 0.24 to -1.57; p= 0.008), strong perceived benefit (b= 0.85; 95% CI= 0.19 to 1.50; p= 0.012), and decreased with strong perceived barrier (b= -0.67; 95% CI= -1.36 to 0.01; p= 0.053). Mothers choice to visit pediatrician was indirectly affected by perceived susceptibility and perceived seriousness.Conclusion:Mothers choice to visit pediatrician rather than general practitioner is directly increased with perceived threat, perceived benefit, and decreased with perceived barrier. Mothers choice to visit pediatrician is indirectly affected by perceived susceptibility and perceived seriousness.Keywords:mothers choice, pediatrician, general practitioner, diarrhea, health believe model, childrenCorrespondence:Prita Yuliana Irnawati. Masters Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Jl. Ir. Sutami No. 36 A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java. Email: pritayuliana@gmail.com. Mobile: +6287835140534.Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior (2018), 3(2): 100-108https://doi.org/10.26911/thejhpb.2018.03.02.03]]>
