Knowledge Regarding Childhood Diarrhoea among Mothers Having Children Under the Age of Five Years in Batticaloa District

Abstract

Diarrhoea is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality among Children under the age of five in all over the world, special in developing countries. The main aim of this study was to assess the mothers’ knowledge regarding childhood diarrhea. A community based Cross- Sectional study was conducted among 252 mothers by structured interview administer questionnaire from January to October 2015. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select study areas and units. Among the 252 mothers Hindus, Housewives, Senior Secondary education, Mothers had 1-3 children were 76.6%, 83.7%, 51.2% and 95.2% respectively. The health care workers (83.7%) and community (67.7%) were the main sources of information. Majority (77%) of mothers had heard about diarrhoea as a disease. 87.3% knew the correct meaning of diarrhea. Just above half (53.6%) of the mothers had very good knowledge regarding the causes and risk factors of diarrhea such as contaminated food and drink (93.7%), unhygienic environment (84.5%), Contact the patient with diarrhoeal disease (71.4%) and Worm infestation (51.2%). Less than half of mothers (44.8%) had very good knowledge about important signs and symptoms of diarrhea such as frequent Watery stool (97.6%), Thirsty (88.1%), Dry skin (66.1%) and Oliguria (46.4%). Out of total respondents, 62.7% had very good knowledge about consequences of diarrhea such as Lethargy (97.2), weight loss (92.5%) and Dehydration (80.6%). Majority of mothers (96.4%) had very good knowledge regarding prevention of diarrhea such as use of clean water (98%), proper hand washing (98%) and proper feces disposal (97.6%). The knowledge of the mothers had significant relationship with their age, educational level, and number of children, occupation, family income and sources of knowledge. Although mothers had good awareness regarding causes, signs and symptoms and prevention of diarrhoea, they were less in some specific areas.