Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Associated Factors on Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) for Diarrhea Treatment Among Mothers of Under Five Children in Serbo Town, South West Ethiopia, 2015: A Community- Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: - All children in the world suffer from diarrheal disease at some time in their life. Recently using oral rehydration salt (ORS) and Zink supplementation are the advances in managing diarrheal disease which can drastically reduce the number of child deaths. In accordance with WHO guidelines, the Ethiopian government promotes oral rehydration therapy (ORT) as a component of the top priority activities for ensuring child survival during diarrhea. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to determine mothers’/care takers’ knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of ORS for treatment of diarrhea in under five children in Serbo town, southwest Ethiopia, 2015.Methods: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 05-20/2015. A total of 233 mothers living in Serbo town having under five children during the study period were interviewed face to face. Data was analyzed manually by using master sheet and scientific calculator. The result was described using text and frequency tables and chi-square test was used to identify factors associated with mothers/care takers knowledge, attitude and practice on home management of diarrhea by ORS. P-value of less than 0.05 was declared as statistically significant association.Result: The study revealed that majority of mothers 224 (96.1%) knew about ORS, and 214 (91.9%) know how to prepare ORS solution for their child during diarrheal attack. Only 41(17.6%) of the mothers know danger signs of diarrhea and very few 21(9.0%) know sign of severe dehydration. Concerning their attitude 220(94.4%) have positive attitude on the importance of ORS in treatment of diarrhea and 214 (91.85%) give ORS when their child get diarrhea. Educational level, occupation and monthly income of the mothers show association with the knowledge and practice whereas occupation and income level influence attitude of mothers towards ORS with p-value less than 0.05.Conclusion: The finding of the study indicated the overall level of knowledge; attitude and practice of mothers/care givers of under five children towards ORS in treatment of diarrheal disease are good. Certain socio-demographic characteristics of mothers/care givers influence the KAP of ORS utilization for diarrhea treatment in under five children. Recommendation: Health education regarding the danger signs of diarrhea and severe dehydration should be given for the community/mothers to alert them to give child more fluid during diarrheas attacks.

Keywords: ORS, Diarrhea, knowledge, attitude, practice, mothers of under five children, Ethiopia