Assessment of Awareness and Practices in Management of Childhood Diarrhoea among Caregivers of Under Five Children in Urban Field Practice Area of KIMS, Hubballi

Abstract

Background: Diarrhoea is one of the leading causes of childhood mortality and morbidity. Diarrhoea leads

to dehydration and causes significant mortality and morbidity in under five children. Most of the childhood

diarrhoea cases can be treated by Oral Rehydration Therapy and Zinc supplementation. Hospitalization for

childhood diarrhoea can pose significant burden to health systems and households. Therefore, it is necessary

to assess the community-based management followed for the same. The objective of this study was to assess

the awareness and practices for management of childhood diarrhoea among the caregivers of under five

children.

Method: A Community based Cross sectional study was conducted among 203 caregivers of under five

children residing in urban field practice area of KIMS, Hubballi, during June-July 2018. Study participants

were selected by convenient sampling. After obtaining informed oral consent, data was collected using self

administered, semi structured questionnaire by house to house visits. Information about the sociodemographic

profile, episodes of diarrhoea and management for same was collected.

Results: The prevalence of diarrhoea in under five was 21.8% in preceding two weeks. 78.8% of the

caregivers were aware of ORS.73% of caregivers used ORSand 6.41 % used Zinc in the treatment of

diarrhoea in their children. Awareness about sanitation and hygiene was not satisfactory in the current study.

Conclusion: Appropriate use of ORS and Zinc therapy can reduce burden of diarrhoea. Awareness regarding

safe drinking water, excrete disposal and personal hygiene needs to be improved to reduce diarrhoeal

diseases.