Mothers Knowledge and Practices towards Diarrhoea Disease in Under Five Children at Arthur Davison Childrens Hospital in Ndola

Abstract

World Health Organization describes diarrhoea disease as having to pass three or more loose watery bowel movement a day. Diarrohea is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, especially among under-five children. About 15,000 Zambian children under the age of five years suffer at least three or more episodes of diarrhea every year and as many as 800,000 children die each year from severe dehydration resulting from diarrohea globally. The aim of this study was to draw understanding on the knowledge and practices of mother towards diarrhoea disease among under-five children at Arthur Davison Children’s Hospital in Ndola. A phenomenology study design was used to gather information among mothers at ADH in Ndola were data was collected according to the participant’s explanations of their experience with the use of an interview guide. Results: The findings of this study identified the participant’s demographic characteristics, their themes of knowledge and their practices towards under-five diarrhoea disease as contributing factors towards the disease as mothers may or may not have the necessary knowledge regarding diarrhoea and poor practices in the home. A total number of 8 mothers participated in the study. The study revealed that most of the mothers in this study where young women of age ranging between 22-30 years old who were unable to get basic education due to a number of reasons. Conclusion: while some mothers were unable to explain the transmission of diarrhoea and the use of oral rehydration solution during diarrhoea, they were knowledgeable about diarrhoea disease. The study recommends that there is need to implement and monitor well- packaged health education and promotion protocols for women as well as improving sanitation especially in rural areas. In addition, there is need to strengthen community sensitization which would empower mothers with under-five children with knowledge which influences better practices and the importance of administering ORS. There is need for more vigilant government support through laws and policies such as waste removal, building of latrines, safe water and others. This would reduce diarrhea morbidity and mortality in Zambia.