The Effect of Honey with ORS and a Honey Solution in ORS on Reducing the Frequency of Diarrhea and Length of Stay for Toddlers

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aims to identify the effect of honey with an oral rehydration solution (ORS) and a honey solution in ORS on the frequency of diarrhea and length of hospital stay for toddlers with diarrhea. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Padang and involved 72 toddlers aged 1–5 who were affected by diarrhea; the participants were selected through a probability sampling technique. The intervention group was provided with 5 ml of honey with an ORS and plain ORS at every diarrhea episode while the control group was provided with 10 ml of honey added to an ORS at every diarrhea episode. The findings suggest that there is a significant difference in the frequency of diarrhea between the intervention and control groups prior to and following the provision of honey with an ORS and honey added to an ORS (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in the length of stay between both groups following the intervention and control treatments (p < 0.05). These results show that honey may be provided as an alternative therapy for toddlers with diarrhea.