| dc.description.abstract | Oral Rehydration Therapy can play a significant
role in reducing both mortality and morbidity
associated with diarrhoeal diseases. Inspite of
woridwide efforts to promote the use of Oral
Rehydration Therapy, usage rates remain below 4% and
success rates are estimated at 33%.
In order to identify factors influenci~g mothers'
decision to use or refrain from using oral
rehydration solutions, a cross-sectional investigation
was carried out in a peri-urban slum of
Nairobi, Kenya. -lrn'e study exami:ied mothers'
knowledge of, attitudes towards and practices in the
use of Oral Rehydration Therapy as wel as their
knowledge of diarrhoeal diseases. The study
undertaken involved two phases. First, (411) mothers
with children between 6 and 36 months of age were
interviewed. Information on their socio-economic
background and their knowledge of, attitudes
towards and practices in the use of Oral Rehydration
Therapy was co I I ected. I n the second phase, mothers
administering oral rehydration soiutions to their
children were observed in order to compare
previously collected recal information to actual
practice.
The study
mothers
disease.
indicate
-xxfindings
showed that the majority of
(75%) viewed diarrhoea as a dangerous
However, only 25% were able to correctly
its causes while 48% were unable to
mention more than two signs of dehydration.
solutions
Awareness and usage rate of home made salt and sugar
prepackaged
(77%) of
was higher than those made from
oral rehydration salts. The majority
the mothers gave recipe3 for home made
while 64%
solutions which would result in hypertonic mixtures,
indicated methods from
prepackaged
solutions.
incorreotly;
rehydration
prevent
administered
of preparation
mixtures leading to hypertonic
The solutions were often administered
28% of the mothers administered oral
solutions in amounts that would not
or alleviate dehydration while 70%
it at a lower frequency than what is
recommended. One third of the mothers initiated the
therapy after
attitude
the first day of illness. Mothers'
towards Oral Rehydration Therapy was
did
generally positive, although the majority of
demonstrate a clear understanding
them
not of its
role in the management of diarrhoeal diseases.
Maternal
knowledge
characteristics (educational level, age,
and understanding of the role of Oral
-xxi-
Rehydration Therapy in the management of diarrhoea)
had a positive impact on the correct use of Oral
rehydration therapy. Older mothers tended to be more
knowledgeable on Oral Rehydration Therapy and were
more likely to administer it more frequently and
efficiently than younger and less knowledgeable
mothers. Furthermore, mother's educational Ieve I,
regardless of her age had a statistically positive
correlation with her understanding of the role of
Oral Rehydration Therapy and the importance of
correct timing of initiation of treatment.
Detailed case studies carried out in the course of
the investigation indicated that mother's
perceptions
influenced
on the aetiology of diarrhoeal diseases
their decision to use or refrain from
using Oral Rehydration Therapy.
The importance of further studies to explore and
understand cultural factors associated with mothers
perceptions of diarrhoeal diseases; its aetiology,
consequences and treatment is recommended. In
addition there is need to carry out an evaluation
of the health education programmes directed towards
use of Oral Rehydration Therapy. | en |
