Aiza Mohsin, Afsheen Batool Raza, Tahir Masood Ahmad.
Knowledge, attitude and practices of the mothers regarding oral rehydration solution, feeding and use of drugs in childhood diarrhoea.
Pak J Med Health Sci Jan ;6(1):107-12.

Aims: To know knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers regarding use of oral rehydration solution, feeding practices and drugs during diarrhea. Patients and methods: It was a observational descriptive study conducted at the paediatric medical emergency department of the Children’s hospital and the institute of child health Lahore for a period of six months. Total 300 mothers fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Mothers of children with acute diarrhoea were included in this study while of children with chronic diarrhoea were excluded from study. Mothers were interviewed and information collected. A predesigned proforma was filled for each case which included history like duration of diarrhoea, frequency and consistency of stools, vomiting, convulsions or oliguria, treatment given at home, mothers knowledge about ORS and drugs, maternal education, water sources, feeding, and socioeconomic history and was recorded. Results: A total of 300 mothers visiting emergency department of Children Hospital Lahore were interviewed. Of 300 patients, 198 (66%) were males and 102 (34%) were females. The median age of patients was 9 months (age ranged from 10 days to 5 years), of these 78 (26%) were under the age of 6 months, 135 (45%) were between 6-12 months and 87(29%) were between 1-5 years. Regarding treatment of diarrhoea given at home prior to hospital visit, 42 (14%) patients were given oral rehydration solution alone, 48 (16%) drugs alone and 189 (63%) oral rehydration solution along with drugs. While 12 (4%) cases were taken home fluids and in 9 (3%) nothing was given. Out of 300 cases, in 78 (33.76%) patients oral rehydration solution was given by parents themselves, 117 (50.6%) by family physician and 21 (9%) on advise of family member. Drugs were used in 237 (79%) cases and in 63 (21%) cases drugs were not taken. In 9 (3.8%) patients drugs were given by parents themselves and in 228 (96.2%) cases on advise of family physician. Regarding feeding practices during diarrhoea, 192 (64%) of cases were given same diet as before illness, in 96 (32%) cases solids were stopped and in 12(4%) cases either milk was diluted or reduced in quantity . Conclusion: Control of diarrhoea disease programme is successful in introducing oral rehydration solution at mass level. Mother's knowledge about use and preparation of oral rehydration solution has increased. Great emphasis is needed to educate mothers about method and quantity of oral rehydration solution. Enormous efforts are needed for promoting healthy feeding practices.

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