Assessing the attitude and practices towards home management of diarrhea among children under five years at Dr. Ronald Batta Memorial Hospital, Entebbe Municipality, Wakiso district. A cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/insights.v3i1.60Keywords:
Attitude and Practices, Home Management of Diarrhea, Children under Five Years, Wakiso DistrictAbstract
Background
Diarrhea, especially among the under-fives, is a matter of public health importance globally, given the annual morbidity and mortality it causes to this vulnerable age group. The study assessed the attitude and practices towards home management of diarrhea among children under five years at Dr. Ronald Batta Memorial Hospital, Entebbe Municipality, Wakiso district.
Methodology
A cross-sectional descriptive study involving 30 respondents who were caregivers of children under five years presented at the health facility for medical attention was recruited. A simple random sampling procedure was used to select the respondents, and a researcher-administered questionnaire was used for collecting data. Collected data was sorted, coded, entered into Epidata, and then exported to SPSS for analysis. The analysed data were presented in figures and tables reflecting frequencies and percentages.
Results
Among 30 caregivers, majority were female 21(70%), aged 20–30 years 17(57%), married 20(67%), and had secondary education 20(67%). Half 15(50%) were casual workers, followed by 10(33%) self-employed and 5(17%) teachers. Regarding attitudes, 18(60%) did not consider diarrhea infectious, 19(63%) believed some foods prevent it (mostly rice water 12[63%]), and 16(53%) did not think giving fluids was important. Only 12(40%) considered ORS effective. Handwashing, continued breastfeeding, and increased water intake were recognized by 57%, 53%, and 20%, respectively. In practice, 21(70%) did not use homemade fluids, 18(60%) used breast milk or rice water, 16(53%) gave sweetened drinks, 19(63%) provided fluids/food, 22(73%) avoided reheated leftovers, and 18(60%) did not continue breastfeeding.
Conclusion
The majority of caregivers had a negative attitude and poor practices towards home management of diarrhea among children under five years.
Recommendation
The hospital should promote exclusive breastfeeding, ORS use, early medical care, hygiene, nutrition, and immunization among caregivers of children under five.
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