The study aimed to understand why caregivers in Northwest Ethiopia delay seeking healthcare for children with diarrhea. Researchers used a mix of surveys and interviews to gather information from 374 participants. They found that over half of patients waited too long to seek help. Factors like having a big family, not knowing the signs of severe diarrhea, struggling to pay for treatment, not going to a health center first, only having diarrhea, and lacking information on early care all contributed to delays. Mothers often thought the illness was mild, services were poor, and money was tight. This delay in seeking care puts children and caregivers at risk, so it's important to address these issues to ensure timely treatment and prevention.