Evaluation of Care-Takers Awareness, Training and Approaches in the Management of Diarrhea in Children in Nawampiti Parish
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Date
2023
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IAA Journal of Scientific Research
Abstract
In Uganda diarrhea is among the leading causes of childhood morbidity and mortality. Uganda had the highest number of under-five child deaths (145,000) in the world and is one of the 42 countries in the world that contributed about 90% of all under five childhood deaths in the world. Diarrhea can occur as a symptom of many different illnesses, and as a side effect of some drugs. This study aimed at determining the knowledge, practice and attitude that care takers have in managing of diarrhea in children of five years of age and below as well as establishing the treatment given. Data was collected from 75 people among the community by the use of preceded response schedule, any child care taker of any sex who was found in the home aged five years and consented to be interviewed was recruited in this study. The data was analyzed by Microsoft word, results presented in a tabular form and short comments were discussed. The mean age of respondents was 37 years; the majority of the respondents were females 96%. The largest population 41.3% had attained formal education, while at least 36% had primary level education. 40% percent of the respondents mentioned using antidiarrheal drugs and 40 percent of the care takers gave oral fluids instead of drugs. 90.7% of the mothers knew about ORS but only 29% of these knew how to prepare it. 42.7% of others knew about sugar salt solution but only 9.4% could prepare it well. 96% of the respondents had positive attitude towards treatment while 46% did not believe in using traditional treatment. 25.3% believed in using both traditional and medical treatment. 40% of the mothers believed that increased feeding Intensifies diarrhea. Poor knowledge was associated with low education level, most respondents were house wives, and most population lives on peasant farming and small-scale trading hence poor knowledge including poor practice and attitude were found in area of low social economic status than elsewhere. The findings in this research shows that most respondents still lack adequate knowledge, appropriate practice and attitude about treatment of diarrhea in children.