Prevention of diarrhea; the role of health education

ABSTRACT

To identify the role of health education in reducing diarrheal diseases in children by improving awareness among mothers regarding, washing hands with soap and water, safe feeding practices i.e. avoiding feeding left over food, use of boiled water and keeping surrounding clean. It is a quasi experimental study. Children Hospital Complex [CDDU-CHC] From March to August 2005 A total of [n= 400] mothers were randomly selected and health education was imparted during their stay in ward, Oral Rehydration Therapy [ORT] corner and Out Patient Department [OFD] visits through lectures, posters, charts, practical demonstrations and individual counseling. After this intervention, the mothers who had completed at least four follow up visits at 6 months, were studied again as at the base line on various aspects and data was analyzed in terms of percentages and frequencies. At 6 months the environmental sanitation and personal hygiene of the mothers were improved. There was marked improvement in hand washing practices, avoidance of feeding leftovers and use of boiled water. There was overall reduction in the incidence of diarrhea. Heath education is an effective tool in bringing about a positive behavior modification in mothers and thus reducing incidence of diarrhea