Knowledge of Prevention and Management of Childhood Diarrhoea among Nigerian Mothers: A Public Health Survey

Abstract

Background: Diarrhoea accounts for 1,300 deaths every day globally. Mothers’ knowledge of preventive measures and practices in the management of childhood diarrhoea influences the disease’s morbidity and mortality. Objectives: This study assessed the knowledge of, and practices mothers adopt in childhood diarrhoea prevention and management. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among mothers in five rural communities in South-Eastern Nigeria using pretested questionnaires. Completed questionnaires were subjected to descriptive and associative analysis. Results: Two thirds of the mothers surveyed (N=374; 67.9%) had poor knowledge of diarrhoea. Less than half mentioned a good hygienic environment (33.5%) as being essential to keeping diarrhoea at bay, 16.5% boiled their drinking water while 70.9% could not prepare a simple oral rehydration solution (ORS) correctly. Two out of ten mothers (20.6%) used an antibiotic in the treatment of diarrhoea and 27% visited the hospital only when the child became very weak. Mother’s occupation (P = 0.002) and her monthly income (P = 0.004) significantly affected their knowledge while age, monthly income and level of education significantly influenced their practices (P<0.05). A higher knowledge of diarrhoea was significantly associated with better feeding practice (P = 0.0001) and correct actions taken to treat diarrhoea (P = 0.003). Conclusion: Most of the mothers surveyed had poor knowledge about diarrhoea prevention and management and also exhibited poor practices. Educational strategies aimed at improving parental knowledge and practices towards diarrhoea in their children could produce better gains in reducing the menace of poorly treated diarrhoea.