Knowledge of mothers on management of childhood diarrhoea among children under five years in rural areas of Al-Mukalla city / 201

Abstract

Introduction: Diarrhoea has consistently been one of
the five most prevalent diseases and is considered the
second public health problem that lead to death cause
among children under 5 years. Home management is
usually the initial approach by mothers of children with
acute diarrhoea.
Objective: This study therefore sought to assess the
knowledge of mothers about symptoms and signs of
diarrhoea and ways of prevention and management in
rural community.
Methods: Community bases cross sectional study, 260
mothers from rural areas in Al-Mukalla city enrolled after taken ethical approval from authorities and mothers.
Modified questionnaire has been used to collect data
which are analyzed by using SPSS software, descriptive
statistic including frequencies and percentage are used
for analysis.
Results: This study found good knowledge about concept of diarrhoea among 86.2% of mothers enrolled in it.
Half of mothers (50%) know that the presence of blood
and pus in stool of children is considered an important
symptoms of diarrhoea while 90% do not know about
the signs of diarrhoea. Regarding the ORS preparation
and given to child as treatment, only 20% and 10% knew
that respectively. Only 10% of mothers know about the
importance of immunization to prevent diarrhoea.
Conclusion: Existing integrated management of child
illness (IMCI) program targeting prevention of diarrhoea should consider the educational level of mothers
and their believes when planning for intervention, and
give community messages about the role of immunization as preventable way of diarrhoea.