Association of Maternal Knowledge and Practices Regarding Prevention and Care of Diarrhea at Home for Children less than 5 years of Age: A Study Conducted in Tertiary level Hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Background: Diarrhea is second major killer disease for children less than 5 year of age; and maternal lack of sound knowledge and related correct practices inn this regard conflicts with WHO treatment guidelines for diarrhea. Objective: 1) to assess the level of maternal knowledge and practices regarding prevention and management of diarrhea at home; in children below five year of age 2) to identify association between maternal knowledge and practices regarding prevention and care of diarrhea at home. Materials & Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted in three tertiary level hospitals of Lahore selected randomly. Study population was mothers having children less than 5 year of age coming to pediatric Outdoor in these hospitals. Calculated sample size was 296; and non-probability purposive sampling technique used to recruit the sample. Data was collected from 300 respondents; study instrument was KAP questionnaire adopted and modified and data was taken upon the variables of knowledge and practice. Data analysis plan was descriptive statistics for all variables, Bivariate analysis upon knowledge and practice scores, Pearson Correlation upon the two variable scores. Results: 61.7% respondents had good knowledge score, whereas 32% and 6.3% had average and poor score respectively. 39.3% were found to have good practice score, whereas 54% and 6.7% were found to have average and poor practice level score. Highly significant association (P- 0.000) was found between knowledge and practice levels; and Pearson correlation of 43.8% was found between the two variables. Conclusion: Health education communication should be conducted by health care workers so as to give the right knowledge about ORS intake and its preparation; and adoption of correct dietary practices by the mothers during diarrheal episode of the child.