Biology and Medicine

Abstract

Do the mothers in rural Aligarh know about home based management of acute diarrhoea?

*Shah MS, Ahmad A, Khalique N, Khan IM, Ansari MA, Khan Z

Diarrhoea is a major cause of illness and death among under five age group children in India. The main immediate cause of death from acute diarrhoea is dehydration which is preventable through Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT). The present study was undertaken to know the knowledge, attitude, practice of mothers regarding home-based management of diarrhoea in under five children in rural area of Aligarh in August and September 2010. The overall prevalence of diarrhoea in under five children was 32%. Only 26% knew about the correct method of preparation of Oral Rehydration Salt solution. Only 36% of the respondents knew about home available fluids, out of which salt sugar solution was the choice in majority of cases. The study highlights that the knowledge and practice of mothers is not adequate and it emphasizes the need for behavior change communication in specific target group i.e. mothers and health care providers which may lead to substantial decrease in morbidity and mortality due to diarrhoea.