Traditional practices and childhood diarrhoea

ABSTRACT

A cross-sectional study was conducted to elicit traditional cultural beliefs and practices influencing health with special focus on diarrhea in two villages of Gadap which is a peripheral rural area of Karachi. A total of 100 child-bearing women from both villages were selected by simple random sampling and were asked about their concept of diarrhea, the causal attribution, management approaches and other demographic information. The study revealed that women laid major emphasis on effects of weather [50-55%], evil shadow or saya [20-24%] and evil eye [20-22%] as the main causes of diarrhea. Very low weightage was given to teething, contaminated food and water and no weightage to dirt, germs and soothers. The study showed that religion and belief had strong correlation whereas education and ethnic group when compared with belief did not. In case of diarrhea 40-50% women initiated home remedy, 25-40% contacted a shaman or traditional healer or quack and 5% of women did not take any remedial action. Various home remedies included rice water, wheat water, sugar solution, honey, curd, ORS and other [30%] which included the use of amulets, talismans rituals, holy scriptures and spiritually treated water. In conclusion the study highlights the effects of some traditional practices in the management of diarrhea. Attitudes knowledge and practices of women regarding diarrhea indicated the need for possible educational intervention and desirable measures to improve the existing health scenario