Risk Factors, Clinical Features and Management Of Children With Diarrhoea in Lagos

Abstract

In spite of the diarrhoeal disease control Programme of WHO and campaign efforts of the Nigerian government in the prevention and management ofdiarrhoea, the disease still remains a major causes of death among children under 5 years in Nigerian. Hence this study was aimed at assessing the risk factors, clinical features and the quality of home case management of diarrhoea. A hospital based longitudinal study was carried out. Questionnaires were administered to mothers with children presenting with diarrhoea in a primary, secondary and tertiary health institutions. Age of a child, position in family and mothers' occupation have been identified as risk factors of diarrhoea. Fever and vomiting was prevalent in 68% and 60% of children respectively responsible for 65% of hospitalization. The mean frequency of stool per day was 5.0 while the mean duration of diarrhoea was 4.9 days. Persistent diarrhoea was found to be most prevalent among children aged 0.6 months. While acute diarrhoea was most prevalent in the 7-12 months age group. Only 28% of month managed diarrhoea with oral rehydration solution (ORS), 29% did not do anything to manage the diarrhoea while 57% did not know the possible cause of diarrhoea in their children. These findings show that the diarrhoeal control Programme in Nigeria has not made much impact on the mother's knowledge and attitude. Hence, health education Programme on the control and management of diarrhoea should be intensified.


(J. of the Nigerian Association of Infection Control, 2000, 3(1): 24-29)