Management practices of childhood diarrhea

ABSTRACT

To elicit management practices of childhood diarrhea in this region. A cross-sectional survey. This study was carried out in CDDU-CHC [Control of Diarrheal Disease Unit Children Hospital Complex] Multan, over a period of nine months [March-Nov 2005]. Five hundred and twenty patients [age group 2 months-5 years] presenting with diarrhea and dehydration at CDDU-CHC Multan, were randomly selected. Management practices; use of medicines and intravenous fluids, preparation and use of ORS and other home made rehydration solutions, feeding practices during diarrheal attack were determined. Interviewing each mother, a pre-designed questionnaire was filled. Most of the families belonged to a poor socio-economic class; only 18.3% mothers could read and write. Mean duration of diarrheal attack was 4.1 days. Most of the mothers [95%] used allopathic medicine but only 49% from qualified doctors. Mothers [78%] knew about ORT [Oral Rehydration Therapy], but preparation and use of ORS and home available solutions was not appropriate in most of the cases. A large number of mothers withheld semisolid foods during diarrheal attack. ORT and adequate feeding during and after diarrhea are keys to the successful management of diarrhea. With regard to the management practices, there is a great need to improve awareness among mothers and caretakers about continuation of breast-feeding and/or semisolids during diarrheal attack, hand washing practices, preparation and use of ORS and avoiding antidiarrheal drugs