Assessing mother's Knowledge and Practices on the Management of Gastroenteritis in Children 0-5 Years in The Muea Community
Abstract
Gastroenteritis
is one of the most common diseases throughout the world. It is the leading
cause of death in infants and children worldwide. The annual mortality in
children less than five years old in developing countries has decreased during
the last 20 years, due mainly to the introduction of oral rehydration therapy
(ORT), from 4.5 million deaths to 1.8 million deaths, but the morbidity remains
high.
This
study aimed at assessing mothers’ knowledge and practices on the management of
gastroenteritis in children 0-5 years in Muea community, a cross sectional
study design, a convenient sampling technique and a structured questionnaire was used to obtain
data from the respondents, date was processed using SPSS version 21 and
analyzed at a CI of 95%. Of 130(100%),
respondents in this study the majority was between the age range 31-35,
40(30.8%), 71(54.6%), had more than one child, 117(90%) of the participants had
adequate knowledge on the signs and symptoms, cause, management and preventive
measures of diarrhea in children.
Overall knowledge about gastroenteritis and its management at the Muea community was good among the mothers. 130(100%) of the mothers involved in this study were aware of fluid intake like ORS for the management of gastroenteritis.
It was
noticed that majority (90%) of the respondent were knowledgeable on
gastroenteritis. It is recommended that health centers educated the community
on the importance of diarrhea management at home through seminars and
sensitization.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Gastroenteritis is a common childhood illness, requiring a systematic approach to its assessment, management and prevention. This is because the child with gastroenteritis is at risk of becoming dehydrated, experiencing Hypernatremia, dehydration and developing shock.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines
diarrhea as the passage of three or more loose or watery stools per day, but in
breastfeeding infants, diarrhea is considered when they have more than 6 to 8 stools per day.
The annual mortality in children less than five years old in developing countries has decreased during the last 20 years, due mainly to the introduction of oral rehydration therapy (ORT), from4.5 million deaths to 1.8 million deaths, but the morbidity remains high(Liu et al., 2012).
Two thirds of the mortality still
occurs in developing countries, including Rwanda (Walker et al, 2013).In
developing countries, diarrhea is a common cause of mortality among children
aged <5 years, with an estimated 2 million deaths annually.
Oral
rehydration therapy (ORT) includes rehydration and maintenance fluids with oral
rehydration solutions (ORS), combined with continued age-appropriate nutrition.
According to Guerrant et al., (1990), Gastroenteritis is one of the most common
diseases throughout the world. It is a major cause of childhood morbidity and
mortality in poor countries.
It is the leading cause of death in infants and children worldwide. 3-5 billion cases of gastroenteritis occur each year in children under 5 years (Elliott, 2007),causing approximately 2.5 million deaths (Kosek et al., 2000) The WHO Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group estimates that 16% of deaths in African children younger than five years are directly attributed to gastroenteritis (Bryce et al., 2005 and ElMohamady et al., 2006).
For many sub-Saharan countries, studies on
the prevalence and clinical significance of different gastroenteritis pathogens
are incomplete or not available. (El Mohamady et al., 2006) In industrialized
countries, the associated mortality is low, but morbidity remains high.
Most
episodes of gastroenteritis are brief and do not require medical attention, but
the social and economic burdens are substantial because of the high incidence.
Gastroenteritis in young children is characterized by the sudden onset of
diarrhea, with or without vomiting.
Most cases are due to a viral infection but some are caused by bacterial or protozoa infections. The illness usually resolves without treatment within days but severe gastroenteritis can rapidly cause dehydration, which may be life-threatening (NICE, the national institute for health and care excellence, 2009).
Although the incidence of gastroenteritis among children under the age
of five is heavy, according to Szajewska and Dziechciarz, (2010) improved prevention
is achievable.
Personal
and food hygiene, including the use of clean water sources, are key measures to
prevent transmission of this disease. Breastfeeding, especially under 6 months
of age, also effectively protects infants. It has been noted that the severity
and duration of symptoms of gastroenteritis are related to the pathogen causing
the symptoms.
Studies
have estimated the incidence and disease burden of gastroenteritis at the
population level, the causative pathogens and the identification of
transmission modes, it is imperative to investigate the causes and risk factors
of gastroenteritis amongst children 0 to 5 years of age.
1.2 Problem Statement
Despite the high interventions put forward by the W.H.O. to combat Gastroenteritis amongst children 0 to 5 years, the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine was recommended amongst other vaccines in developing countries, 2 million deaths still occur each year in children under 5 years (Elliott, 2007).
Personal and
food hygiene, including the use of clean water sources, are key measures to
prevent transmission of this disease.
Breastfeeding,
especially under 6 months of age, also effectively protects infants. It has
been noted that the severity and duration of symptoms of gastroenteritis are related
to the pathogen causing the symptoms.
The
Muea community was a camp area during the days of the colonial masters, in this
area the is poor drainage, building of toilets and poor source of drinking
water, more so most of the denizens here are farmers, Mothers
occupy very important role in the
care of children under 5
for proper intervention
and quality care
of this children, mothers need
to keep abreast
with current trends in the
management of this condition in this regard this study seeks to
investigate Mothers Knowledge and Practices On the Management of
Gastroenteritis In Children 0 5 Years in the Muea Community.
1.3 General objective
To
Assess Mothers Knowledge and Practices on the Management of Gastroenteritis in
Children 0 5 Years in the Muea Community
1.4 Specific Objectives
- To investigate mother’s knowledge on gastroenteritis among children 0 to 5 years in The Muea Community.
- To investigate mother’s practices on gastroenteritis amongst children 0 to 5 years in Muea community
- To identify the measures put in place by mothers to combat gastroenteritis among children 0 to 5 years in muea community
