Knowledge Of Mothers On Oral Rehydration Salt Therapy (Use) In Children Under Five Years With Diarrhea In Mulago Hospital

ABSTRACT

Background:

Globally, diarrheal disease is one of the leading causes of worldwide childhood morbidity and

mortality resulting into 1.4 to 2.5 million deaths annually. Loss of intestinal fluid caused by

gastroenteritis may lead to severe hypovolemia, shock and death particularly in children younger

than five years of age (WHO, September 2012).

A descriptive and cross-sectional study was done and it employed both qualitative and

quantitative methods of data collection among caretakers of children below 5 years. A total of

168 respondents was selected using purposive sampling technique. Data was analyzed using

SPSS version 18 and data was presented in frequency tables, graphs and pie charts.

In this study, 80(48%) respondents said a child with diarrhea got loose stools more than 3 times

in 24 hours ,129 (77%) reported that the type of diarrhea passed by their children was watery ,69

(41%) said that when a child gets diarrhea it is taken to the health facility 97 (58%) agreed that

they knew the danger signs related to diarrhea in a child ,114 (68%) had ever failed to get ORS,

75 (45%) were taught by health providers how to mix ORS ,158 (94%) had ever bought ORS, 81

(48%) used any available water to mix ORS ,74 (44%) said ORS is used to replace fluid lost

during diarrhea, 49 (29%) knew the current treatment for diarrhoea,76 (45%) said that ORS can

be given as much as the child could take,77 (46%) said that preparation of ORS should last

within 24 hours.

In conclusion, the majority of respondents had ever heard of oral rehydration solutions and was

aware of the importance of oral rehydration solutions. Most mothers had negative attitudes and

perceptions towards the preparation and use of ORS for the treatment of diarrhea and the

majority of respondents believed that it was not essential to continue giving liquids to children

under 5 years suffering from diarrhea because they were already receiving ORS solutions while

most mothers had average practices in the preparation and use of ORS for the treatment of diarrhea as the majority did not ensure adequate hygiene during ORS Solution preparation.