Factors associated with maternal knowledge, perception and practice of oral rehydration solution for diarrhoea in a health facility in Port Harcourt
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20250721Keywords:
Oral rehydration solution, Knowledge, Perception, Practice, Diarrhoea, Port HarcourtAbstract
Background: Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is an effective, inexpensive intervention for preventing dehydration and mortality among children with diarrhoea. However, this benefit can only be achieved, if caregivers have appropriate knowledge and right perceptions to make them use it when needed in diarrhoeal illness. This study was carried out to assess the level of knowledge, perception and the practice of ORS by mothers attending the paediatric outpatient clinic in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and determine factors associated with it.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among mothers of under-five children attending the clinic. Specific questions on knowledge, perception and practice of ORS were answered, correct responses collated and converted to percentages, with 50% used as cut-off for good knowledge, perception and practice of ORS. Data analysis was done using SPPS version 23.
Results: A total of 143 mothers aged 22-50 (32.1±5.4) years, participated in the study. The ORS awareness among them was high with corresponding high level of knowledge (71.6%), perception (77.6%) and practice (69.4%) of ORS. However, there was poor knowledge and practice regarding when to start and duration of administering ORS to children with diarrhoea. Middle socioeconomic class and higher parity were significantly associated with good knowledge of ORS and being married with good perception. Good knowledge of ORS was significantly associated with good perception and good practice.
Conclusions: Though the knowledge, perception and practice of ORS in this study were good, public enlightenment is needed to address the gaps in knowledge and practice.
Metrics
References
World Health Organization. Stuart MC, Koulmtzi M, Hill SR (eds). WHO Model Formulary 2008. World Health Organization (WHO). 2009;349-51.
Oral Rehydration Therapy. Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/oral_rehydration_therapy. Accessed on 7 June 2024.
Selendy JM. Water and Sanitation related Diseases and the Environment: Challenges, Interventions and Preventive Measures. John Wiley and Sons. 2011;60 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118148594
Binder HJ, Brown I, Ramakrishna BS, Young GP. Oral Rehydration Therapy in the second decade of the twenty-first century. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2014;16(3):376. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-014-0376-2
Islam MR. Citrate can effectively replace bicarbonate in oral rehydration salts for cholera and infantile diarrhoea. Bull World Organ. 1986;64(1):145-50.
Nalin DR, Harland E, Ramlal A, Swaby D, McDonald J, Gangarosa R, et al. Comparison of low and high sodium and potassium content in oral rehydration solutions. J Pediatr. 1980;97(5):848-53. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3476(80)80287-3
Munos MK, Walker CL, Black RE. The effect of oral rehydration solution and recommended home fluids on diarrhoea mortality. Int J Epid. 2010;39:175-87. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyq025
World Health Organisation (WHO). Diarrheal disease. 2017. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diarrhoeal-disease&hl=en-NG. Accessed on 8 December 2024
Oruikor GJ, Durotoye MP. Assessment of mothers’ knowledge and use of oral rehydration therapy for diarrhoea in children under 5 years in Ife, Nigeria. Nig Health J. 2023;23(3):823-36.
National Population Commission (NPC) (Nigeria) and ICF. 2019. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018. Abuja, Nigeria, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: NPC and ICF. Available at: https://www.dhsprogram.com. Accessed on 14 January 2025.
Haricharan KR, Punith S, Harsha P, Gowtham R. Knowledge, attitude and practices of oral rehydration therapy among mothers coming to tertiary care centre. Int J Contemp Pediatr. 2019;6(1):127-30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20185194
American Academy of Pediatrics, Provisional committee on quality improvement, subcommittee on acute gastroenteritis. Practice parameter: the management of acute gastroenteritis in young children. Pediatr. 1996;97(3):424-35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.97.3.424
UNICEF Annual report 2008. Improved formula for oral rehydration salts to save children’s lives. Available at: https://www.unicef.org/reports/annual-report-2008. Accessed on 14 January 2025.
World Health Organization. The selection of fluids and food for home therapy to prevent dehydration from diarrhoea: guidelines for developing a national policy. World Health Organization 1993. Available at: https://iris.who.int. Accessed on 14 January 2025
World Health Organization 2005. The treatment of diarrhoea, a manual for physicians and other senior health workers. Available at: https://www.who.int. Accessed on 14 January 2025.
Odum-Igwe CC, Ben JE, Nwachukwu CF. Knowledge, attitude and practice of oral rehydration solution (ORS) use as a first aid tool in diarrhoea management in children among antenatal attendees in Aba, Abia State. Abia State Uni Med Students Assoc J. 2022;14(1):13-24.
Alghadeer S, Syed W, Alhossan A, Alrabiah Z, Babelghaith SD, Al Arifi MN et al. Assessment of Saudi mother’s knowledge and attitudes towards childhood diarrhea and its management. Int J Env Res Public Health. 2021;18(8):3982. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18083982
Farid MS, Hasan MK, Hussain M, Moniruzzaman SM. Knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers regarding oral rehydration solution in acute diarrhoea at Monno Medical College. J Monno Med Coll. 2023;9(1):3-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/jmomc.v9i1.69211
Yimenu DK, Kasahun AE, Chane M, Getachew Y, Manaye B, Kifie ZD. Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of child caregivers towards oral rehydration salt and zinc for the treatment of diarrhoea in under 5 children in Gondar town. Clin Epid Global Health. 2022;14:100998. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2022.100998
Ezezika O, Ragunathan A, El-Bakri Y, Barrett K. Barriers and facilitators to implementation of oral rehydration therapy in low-and middle-income countries: A systematic review. PLoS One. 2021;16(4):e0249638. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249638
Okechukwu C, Alabi A, Yaguo-Ide LE. Knowledge and Use of Oral Rehydration Solution in the Management of Childhood Diarrhoea among Mothers in a Tertiary Health Facility in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. J Adv Med Pharm Sci. 2022;24(2):42-49. DOI: https://doi.org/10.9734/jamps/2022/v24i230287
Duguma NA, Bala ET, Abdisa B, Adula T, Adeba E, Egata G. Caregivers' knowledge, practice, and associated factors toward oral rehydration salt with zinc to treat diarrhea among under 5 children in Burayu town, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2022: Cross‐sectional study: An implication for action. Health Sci Rep. 2024;7(1):e1817. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.1817
Omole VN, Wamyil-Mshelia TM, Nmadu GA, Usman NO, Andeyantso EA, Adiri F. Knowledge, attitude and practice of home management of diarrhea among mothers of underfives in Samaru, Kaduna state, Nigeria. Port Harcourt Med J. 2019;13:19-25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/phmj.phmj_23_18
Das SK, Afroze F, Ahmed T, Faruque AS, Sarker SA, Huq S, et al. Extreme hypernatremic dehydration due to potential sodium intoxication: consequences and management for an infant with diarrhea at an urban intensive care unit in Bangladesh: a case report. J Med Case Rep. 2015;9:124. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-015-0611-y
Prisco A, Capalbo D, Guarino S, Del Giudice EM, Marzuillo P. How to interpret symptoms, signs and investigations of dehydration in children with gastroenteritis. Arc Dis Childhood-Edu Pract. 2021;106(2):114-19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2019-317831
Saurabh S, Shidam UG, Sinnakirouchenan M, Subair M, Hou LG, Roy G. Knowledge and Practice Regarding Oral Rehydration Therapy for Acute Diarrhoea among Mothers of Under-Five Children in an Urban Area of Puducherry, India. Natl J Comm Med. 2014;5(1):100-4.
Ramchandani R, Berry S, Berry J, Pratt BA, Saka A, Black RE. Design thinking to improve rational use of oral rehydration salts: lessons from an innovative co-packaged diarrhoea treatment kit. BMJ Innov. 2023;9(3):bmjinnov-2023-001081. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjinnov-2023-001081
Workie HM, Sharifabdilahi AS, Addis EM. Mothers’ knowledge, attitude and practice towards the prevention and home-based management of diarrheal disease among under-five children in Diredawa, Eastern Ethiopia, 2016: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pediatr. 2018;18:358. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-018-1321-6
Nuzhat S, Islam MR, Al Fidah MF, Islam SB, Rahman M, Paul S, et al. Maternal knowledge, attitude and practice regarding commercial oral rehydration salt solution: experience from a diarrhoeal disease hospital in Bangladesh. BMJ Paed Open. 2025;9:e003299. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2024-003299
Islam MR, Akther KU, Nahid KA, Chowdhury K. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Use of ORS in Diarrhoea by Mothers in an Island of Bangladesh. East West Med Coll J. 2024;28:43-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/ewmcj.v12i1.77178
Osonwa Kalu O, Eko Jimmy E, Ema S. Utilization of Oral Rehydration Therapy in the Management of Diarrhea in Children among Nursing Mothers in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Am J Public Health Res. 2016;4(1):28-37.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
