THE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INCREASE OF DIARRHOEA AMONG CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE AT KASANGATI HEALTH CENTRE IV, WAKISO DISTRICT: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background The purpose of the study is to determine the factors associated with the increase of diarrhea in children less than 5 years of age in Kasangati Health Center IV, Wakiso district. Study objectives Determined the knowledge, attitude, and practices of caretakers towards diarrhea in children less than 5 years old at Kasangati HC IV, Wakiso district. Methodology A cross-sectional study of 100 participants was used in the study. A simple random sampling technique was used and data collected using survey and interview methods was presented and analyzed using descriptive frequencies and percentages of Microsoft Word and Excel Result The majority of respondents 73(73%) knew the meaning of diarrhea and 27(27%) did not know the meaning of diarrhea. Findings also showed that the majority 54(54%) of respondents said that children don’t like ORS because of its taste, 36(36%) of the respondents proposed its scent, and the rest 10(10%) its color. They also showed that the majority of participants 59 (59%) breastfed a child with diarrhea while 41(41%) respondents did not. Conclusion The study findings indicate that the majority of the respondents knew the meaning of diarrhea, its signs and symptoms (marked thirst, weight loss, sunken eyes, and dry skin), and its causes (poor hygiene, too much sugar in milk, and not breastfeeding). Recommendations Health workers and community health personnel should increase the sensitization about diarrhea signs and symptoms to the caretakers. Health workers and dispensing places like pharmacies should explain to caretakers how to prepare ORS and assess if they have understood it.