Assessment of Mothers’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practice in Use of Oral Rehydration Solution For Diarrhea in a Sample of the Primary Health Care Centers of Al-Karkh Health Directorate

Abstract

 ABSTRACT

Background: Diarrheal disorder in childhood account for a large proportion (18%) of childhood death, with an estimated 1.5 million deaths per year globally, making it the second most common cause of child death worldwide. The global reduction in mortality which was approximately 5 million diarrheal deaths annually twenty years ago, is attributed to the widespread utilization of oral rehydration solution. The introduction of oral rehydration solution hailed as one of the most significant medical advances of the twentieth century, allowed correction of dehydration and prevention of mortality

Objective: To assess mothers’ knowledge, attitude and practice in the use of oral rehydration solution for diarrhea management in a sample of the primary health care centers of Al-Karkh health directorate.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the mothers’ knowledge, attitude and practices in the use of oral rehydration solution for diarrhea in a sample of the Primary health care centers of Al-Karkh health directorate and the time of study was 29th January till 24th April 2012. A convenient sample of 330 mothers having children with diarrhea and oral rehydration solution was prescribe for their children in 4 centers, out of 91 Primary health care centers of Al-Karkh health directorate was selected conveniently. Data collection was made through direct interviewing questionnaire with the mothers. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data and questions about the attitude and practice of the mothers concerning diarrhea management.

Results: A total of (330) mothers were surveyed in this study. The mean age of mothers was of (28.8 ± 6.2) year with a range of (18-45) years, they did have a median of (2) children under five years and the mean age of their youngest child was about (17) months. Most of the mothers in this study received their information regarding oral rehydration solution from Primary health care centers staff (62.1%) while only (16.7%) get their knowledge from mass media. The mothers’ responses about their knowledge and attitude for different questions was found to be as follows: 59.4% of mothers adequately recognized the oral rehydration solution packet, 226 (68.5%) of the  mothers correctly knew how to prepare and use oral rehydration solution, 152 (46.1%) of the mothers did use oral rehydration solution for treatment of diarrhea, and the majority of mothers claimed that they used syrups, rice water, yogurt and juices during diarrheal  attacks. The vast majority of mothers 300 (90.9%) were continuing feeding during diarrhea (breast feeding, bottle feeding or mixed feeding), 167 (50.6%) of the mothers were giving solid or semisolid food during diarrhea, 97 (29.4%) of the mothers did not give fluid to treat diarrhea, 119 (36.1%) of the mothers had the opinion that the child accept the taste of oral rehydration solution, 282 (85.5%) 0f the mothers favored flavored oral rehydration solution rather than non-flavored type and large proportion of mothers 262 (79.4%) favored oral rehydration solution prepared as solution rather than powder.

Conclusion: The study showed that there was a significant correlation between the mother level of education and the mothers’ knowledge about oral rehydration solution preparation and its use in treatment of acute diarrhea. The Primary health care centers staffs were the main source of information for the mothers. However; the mothers’ knowledge about use of oral rehydration solution for treating diarrhea was inadequate, so repeated heath education of mothers and more training programs for the paramedical staff regarding diarrheal diseases management are required.