Abstract
This study was done to determine the risk factors, management practices and awareness about diarrhoea. It was a cross sectional study done in a semi urban and rural areas of South Canara district of India in February 2013. A total of 167 households (575 study population) chosen systematic randomly were visited and one adult member in each house was interviewed. The houses were also inspected to assess the living conditions. Mean age of study population was 31.1±20.2years. The period prevalence of diarrhoea was 69 (12%). Commonest associated symptoms in cases of diarrhoea were fever 30 (43.4%) followed by abdominal cramps 29 (42%). Nearly half of the cases with diarrhoea 34 (49.3%) did not take any medications. Commonest treatment taken was allopathic medicines 26 (37.8%) followed by home remedies 8 (22.9%). Age ≤10years (p<0.001) was associated with risk of developing diarrhoea using binary logistic regression analysis. Among the 167 participants, awareness level about the disease was poor among 16 (9.6%) and moderate among 149 (89.2% participants). Awareness level was more among females (p=0.001) and literate participants (p=0.013). One hundred and sixteen (69.5%) participants were not aware of any sign or symptom of dehydration other than loose stools. Majority of the participants 138 (82.6%) preferred home remedies as the initial management of diarrhoea. Misconception about fluid restriction in diarrhoea was stated by 12(7.2%) participants. Public education program on proper feeding and management practices is required to address the various issues identified and for containment of diarrhoea cases in future.
Highlights
Every year over ten million cases and over 1000 deaths are reported due to diarrhoea in India [1]
Awareness level was more among females (p = 0.001) and literate participants (p = 0.013)
A sample size of 383 people was calculated using the formula 4p(1-p)/d2 where ‘‘p’’ is the expected period prevalence of diarrhoea taken as 31.7 % based on findings of a previous study [5] and ‘‘d’’ being relative precision taken as 15 % of p and at 95 % confidence intervals
Summary
Every year over ten million cases and over 1000 deaths are reported due to diarrhoea in India [1]. Risk factors behind this innumerous number of cases are many but nearly 90 % are attributed to unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene [2]. Mortality rates are further aggravated in developing countries due to the vicious cycle between malnourishment and infection, lack of sufficient health care services and transportation facilities. These issues has made the possibility of prompt and appropriate management of cases very unlikely [3]. As per the National Family Health Survey-3 (NFHS) report more than half of the children with diarrhoea do not receive oral rehydration therapy (ORT) [4]
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