RESUMO
A nationwide study of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices about childhood diarrhoea among health workers and mothers of children less than 5-years old was conducted in Uganda during 1987. We found that each child, on the average, has 6 episodes of diarrhoea in a year. While most parents (65%) continue with almost normal feeding practices during their children's diarrhoea, as is officially recommended, there are some foods that are traditionally withheld. The use of oral rehydration therapy in the form of a salt and sugar solution is very limited and needs to be promoted. Herbal treatment for diarrhoea is a widespread practice and needs to be studied further to ascertain its usefulness. Over 55% of mothers recognise poor hygiene as the most important cause of childhood diarrhoea. The general level of sanitation is not satisfactory and needs to be improved to achieve the widespread availability of safe water and adequate means of human waste disposal for all homes. The radio was found to be a potentially effective tool for health education, and the need to provide all health workers with continuing education about diarrhoea management was identified.
PIP: A 1987 nationwide study in Uganda explored knowledge, attitudes, and practices about childhood diarrhea among health workers and mothers of children under 5 years. The study found that children suffer an average of 6 diarrheal episodes/year. While 65% of parents continue almost normal feeding practices during these episodes, some foods are withheld. Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is employed only on a very limited basis. An herbal treatment is, however, widely used. ORT should be promoted and the effectiveness of the herbal treatment investigated. More than 55% of mothers acknowledge that poor hygiene is the most important cause of childhood diarrhea. Even so, sanitation is generally poor and inadequate. Steps must be taken to increase the supply and availability of safe water as well as the efficiency of human waste disposal. Finally, radio holds potential as an effective tool for health education and all health workers should be given continuing education on the management of diarrhea.
