Socio-demographic factors relating to mothers' self-efficacy in preventing childhood diarrhea: a longitudinal study

Abstract

Aim: To determine the association between socio-demographic data of mothers living in risk micro-areas and their self-efficacy in preventing childhood diarrhea. Methods: his is a longitudinal study conducted in Fortaleza, with 90 mothers of children under five years of age. Data collection was performed through the use of the Maternal Self-efficacy Scale for Children Diarrhea Prevention (EADPI) and by telephone. Data were analyzed by chi-square tests and likelihood ratio. Results: It was found significance in self-efficacy levels with the following variables: age between 15 and 29 (ρ <0.001); married (p=0.035), consensual union (ρ=0.039), single (p=0.033); more than five years of schooling (ρ<0.001); per capita income lower than R$ 169.50 (ρ<0.001), more than R$ 169.50 (ρ<0.001); housewife (ρ<0.001), other occupations (ρ<0.001) and number of children (ρ<0.001). Conclusion: When nurses use the EAPDI they can monitor self-efficacy and associate it to the socio-economic conditions of mothers that influence the occurrence of diarrhea in order to intervene with educational activities.