*Assistant Professor, GSL Medical College, Rajahmundry, AP.
**Associate Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine, GSL Medical College, Rajahmundry, AP.
***Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Community Medicine, Allianze College of Medical Sciences, Penang, Malaysia
Online published on 10 September, 2012.
Diarrhea & dehydration is the major cause of death among the children under five years and accounts for more than 6 lakh deaths. The slum children are more vulnerable. The mothers should be educated to practice regarding ORT and care during diarrheal episodes.
1.To study the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding ORT among the mothers and educate them about ORT. 2. To evaluate after imparting health education.
Around 600 mothers of under five children were interviewed with the help of a pretested questionnaire. The mothers were given health education regarding Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) and care during diarrhea & followed up after three months to assess their knowledge & practice.
Only 21% of the study subjects were aware of ORT which significantly increased after health education(p=0.0000). The awareness was more among the higher educated (p<0.001). Significant number of respondents could name at least two danger signs of dehydration, home available fluids, preparation of sugar and salt solution (p< 0.001). At the end of study, significant number of the mothers could correctly demonstrate how to prepare Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) (p<0.001).
Most of the respondents were not aware regarding ORT and care during diarrhea which significantly increased in the follow up visit after health education. Hence IEC activities, and awareness campaigns to be intensified and organized in the slum area.
Diarrhea, Dehydration, ORT, Home available fluids, Demonstration
