Assessment of the knowledge and management of diarrhoea among women in Abakaliki metropolis, Nigeria

Background: Diarrhoea remains the 2nd cause of death among children globally despite the fact that the resources to control and prevent it are inexpensive and widely available. Aim: This study was carried out to evaluate the perception of mothers regarding diarrhoea so as to identify areas in need of further education and enlightenment campaign in this community. Methods: A total of 365 mothers were surveyed at 4 Primary Health Centers in Abakaliki, South-Eastern Nigeria between January and March 2015. Pre-tested questionnaires were administered to participants who had the information translated and explained to them in local dialects. Results: Piped water was not available in this metropolis. Most participants, 88.0%, (321/365) usually wash their hands with soap and water after using the toilet. Majority of the respondents, 93.7% (342/365) agreed that inadequate sanitation and hygiene was associated with childhood diarrhoea, but there were those who believed that teething, 48.0% (175/365) can also cause diarrhoea. Overall diarrhoea incidence in the study population was 38.4% (140/365). Prevalence was lowest in children below the age of 1 year (p=0.001). Hand washing and keeping children in daycare centers had negative and positive association with diarrhoea risk respectively. Management of diarrhoea with Oral Rehydration Salt/Salt Sugar Solution was most practiced by mothers above the age of 30 years (91.7%) as well as those with the highest level of education (92%) while management which included stopping breastfeeding and normal feeding were mostly practiced by mothers below 20 years (21.9% and 34.4% respectively) and those with primary level of education (15.1 % and 18.9% respectively). Conclusion: Health education and enlightenment campaign regarding hand washing, need to continue breastfeeding /normal feeding should be scaled up in this community, especially among young mothers, those with little or no formal education as well as in day care centers.