Home management of childhood diarrhoea: Need to intensify campaign

Abstract

A review of home management of childhood diarrhea in under-five children among 203 Nigerian mothers was carried out over a period of 3 months in order to ascertain how effectively they manage their children with diarrhea outside a hospital setup (infrastructural health facility). Mothers whose children had diarrhea, with or without other symptoms, and presented at the Children's Out Patient unit (CHOP), of the UNTH over the study period were consecutively interviewed through a questionnaire designed for the study. The questionnaires were designed and administered by the authors. There were 30 mothers in social class 1; 59 in social class 2; 52 in social class 3; 13 in social class 4, and 7 mothers in social class 5. Information was obtained on the method of detection, causes of diarrhea, and treatment including their knowledge and use of oral rehydration salts with or without anti diarrheal and antibacterial agents. Out of the 203 mothers interviewed, 140 (71%) correctly defined diarrhea. 112 (55.2%) could identify correct causes of childhood diarrhea. Only 80 (39.4%) could correctly manage diarrhea at home. About 76% (154 mothers) knew that they should use an oral rehydration salt; of this number, 56 (27.6%) could correctly prepare SSS, while 29 (14.3%) could do the same for the UNICEF ORS. In addition, anti bacterial, anti-diarrheal, and/or herbal preparations were used by 38 (18.7%) of the mothers. The level of knowledge of oral rehydration therapy has dropped in our locality since its inception in the early 1990s. There is need to intensify maternal education in this area since we now have a new generation of mothers who were not there during the inception of the program.

Home Management of Childhood Diarrhoea by Mothers Presenting at a Tertiary Hospital in Bangladesh

“…The high awareness (100% of mothers) of the use of ORS in the home management of diarrhoea reported in this study is similar to fi ndings noted in other studies 17,18,19 . In this study, 320 (88.88%) mothers had administered ORS to their children with diarrhoea prior to presenta on.…”

“…A comprehensive study conducted in India demonstrated that 63% of Indian mothers were aware of ORS whereas only 27% of them took advantage of it for their children. 17 These studies suggest a profound lack between the cogni on of ORS and its u liza on. Thus, a superfi cial understanding of ORS is not enough and it requires consistent eff orts to emphasize on importance of ORS in resolving dehydra on during diarrhoea, par cularly in children; since this group of age is more likely to be dehydrated quickly 20 .…”

Maternal Knowledge and Practice Regarding Childhood Diarrhea and Diet in Zahedan, Iran

“…The knowledge source of most mothers in the study were relatives and friends which was 76%, and almost 58% of them were informed by pediatric specialists (19). A comprehensive study conducted in India demonstrated that 63% of Indian mothers were aware of ORS whereas only 27% of them took advantage of it for their children (20). These studies suggest a profound lack between the cognition of ORS and its utilization.…”

Clinico - demographic factors associated with diarrhoeal disease outcome in under-five children: A Nigerian tertiary hospital experience

“…2 The past gains of the prevention of dehydration from diarrhoeal disease have not been sustained, with studies documenting a decreased awareness of the use and proper constitution of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS). 2,12,15 In a 2010 study in South East Nigeria, while 76% of the mothers knew they should use ORS for a child with diarrhoea, only 14.2% of them could correctly prepare ORS. [15] This decreased awareness and knowledge will obviously negatively impact on the disease outcome and may be partly why diarrhoeal mortalities are soaring.…”

“…2,12,15 In a 2010 study in South East Nigeria, while 76% of the mothers knew they should use ORS for a child with diarrhoea, only 14.2% of them could correctly prepare ORS. [15] This decreased awareness and knowledge will obviously negatively impact on the disease outcome and may be partly why diarrhoeal mortalities are soaring. Even though the mothers in our study were not questioned on their knowledge of oral rehydration, the proportion of our patients presenting with moderate and severe dehydration and shock (over 68%), with significantly increasing mortality based on severity of dehydration is highly suggestive of ignorance on the caregivers' part.…”