KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS ORAL REHYDRATION THERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DIARRHEA AMONG CARETAKERS OF CHILDREN BELOW FIVE YEARS IN HOIMA REGIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL, HOIMA DISTRICT, A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71020/jwhr.v2i7.62Keywords:
Oral Rehydration Therapy, Management of dehydration, Children under five years, Hoima Regional referral hospitalAbstract
Background
The study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards ORT in the management of diarrhea among caregivers of children under five years in Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, Hoima District.
Methodology
A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed, and data were collected from a sample of 60 respondents. The respondents were selected by using a convenient sampling method as a sampling technique. Data was analyzed manually by use of tally sheets and entered into the computer using the Microsoft Excel computer program, illustrated using graphs and figures for quantitative data.
Results
(73%) of the respondent’s children were females, (58%) of the respondent’s children were in the age bracket of (1-3yrs). Knowledge towards ON ORT revealed that: (80%) obtained their information from health workers, (60%) had ever heard about zinc supplements. On attitude showed that (95%) of the respondents agreed that ORT in the management of diarrhea, (45%) agreed to ORT as the best in the management of diarrhea, and (100%) believed that feeding a child with diarrhea could stop the aggravation of the disease. Results on practices showed that (72%) of the respondents used boiled water when mixing ORT, (62%) gave ORT to the child every time after a loose watery stool, and (50%) kept the prepared ORT for 24hours.
Conclusion
The overall Knowledge was good, with a pleasing attitude; however, the overall practices were fair towards Oral rehydration therapy in the management of diarrhea, which puts children below five years at risk of developing diarrhea.
Recommendation
Hoima Regional Referral Hospital should do public enlightenment, and social marketing strategies in order to promote the use of ORT among caretakers of children under five years.
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