KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE REGARDING ORAL REHYDRATION SALTS (ORS) SOLUTION USE IN DIARRHEAL DISEASE AMONG MOTHERS OF UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN IN RURAL WEST BENGAL: A HOSPITAL BASED CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Childhood diarrhea is one of the major public health problems. Diarrhea is the second most common cause of mortality in under-ve children. Use of Oral rehydration salts (ORS) solution is the most cost-effective intervention to prevent diarrhea related mortality and morbidity. Aims And Objectives: To evaluate the knowledge and practice towards ORS use in diarrheal disease among mothers of under-ve children in rural West Bengal. This hospital based cross sectional study was carried out in pediatrics department of BSMCH, Bankura. Data aboutMethodology: demography, knowledge and practice regarding diarrheal management and ORS use were collected with predesigned semi structured questionnaire from 300 mothers of under-ve children who have suffered at least once from diarrhea in last one month. DemographicResults: ndings indicated 54.3% mothers belonged to age of 18-25 years while illiterate and primary level educated mothers constituted 35% and 28% of study sample, respectively. Though 87% mothers heard about ORS but only 68.7% mothers considered ORS as remedy of diarrhea. Knowledge about preparation (42%), initiation (43%), amount (39%), timing of use (35.3%) and storage of ORS (22%) were unsatisfactory. Furthermore, majority had no clue regarding Zinc (9.6%) and Rota virus vaccination (13.3). Age and education of the mother had statistically signicant (P< 0.05) association with knowledge and practice. In our study, mothers had lacuna in their knowledge about proper use of ORS.Conclusion: Successful treatment of diarrhea depends on mother's knowledge and practices. Health Education should be aimed at rectifying those inadequacies to reduce further mortality and morbidity