Home management of acute diarrhea by under-five caregivers in Ikorodu LGA, Lagos State, Nigeria
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Date
2021
Authors
Ogbo P.U
Soremekun R.O
Aina B.A
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists
Abstract
Background: Diarrhoea remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among under-five children
globally especially in low and middle-income countries in spite of availability of effective treatment identified in
oral rehydration salts (ORS) and zinc tablets. Families and communities have been identified as key stakeholders in
the utilization of ORS/Zinc for the home management of diarrhoea.
Objective: This study was set to assess the home management practices of caregivers in a sub urban community
during acute diarrhoea episodes in under-five children.
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was done among 1236 under-five caregivers in Ikorodu LGA, Lagos
State. Structured questionnaire was administered to these caregivers whose children had experienced diarrhoea
within one month of survey. Data were coded and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0.
Results: Five hundred and eighty-five caregivers carried out home management for the child within the first 24
hours of recognizing diarrhoea. Although 534 (91.3%) of these caregivers were aware of the use of ORS for
diarrhoea, only 403 (68.9%) were aware of zinc and 394 (67.4%) were aware of ORS and zinc (ORS/Zinc) as
combined therapy. While 237 (40.5%) caregivers attempted to use the combination, only 55 (9.2%) utilized it
correctly. Furthermore, only 38 (6.5%) caregivers provided good home management by appropriately increasing
fluid intake and continuing feeding in addition to administering ORS/Zinc.
Conclusion: This study shows that home management of diarrhoea depicted by combined use of ORS and zinc,
increased fluid intake and continued feeding by under-five caregivers in the study location is inadequate.
Description
Scholarly articles
Keywords
Diarrhoea , Under-five caregivers , Home management , Research Subject Categories::PHARMACY
Citation
Patricia U Ogbo, Rebecca O. Soremekun, Bolajoko A. Aina (2021). Home management of acute diarrhea by under-five caregivers in Ikorodu LGA, Lagos State, Nigeria. West African Journal of Pharmacy 32(1), 151-164