Methods and outcomes of home management of diarrhoea in a community in north-western Nigeria

Abstract

Diarrhoeal diseases represent the second leading cause of under-five mortality in the developing world. The secondary level of disease prevention consisting of early detection and prompt treatment is crucial in averting diarrhoea-related deaths among children. The appropriateness or otherwise of the approaches in combating diarrhoea, in the event of it’s occurrence is key to the outcome.

This study explored the popular and prevalent methods of home management of diarrhoea (HMD) among mothers of under-fives and the outcomes of the same. It is a cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted in a sub-urban community among 350 mothers of under-fives, randomly selected by multi-stage sampling method. Data were collected using interviewer-administered, closed-ended, structured questionnaires and analysed electronically.

Results showed that majority (70.5%) of the respondents preferred WHO-recommended methods of HMD; although only about two-thirds of them (64%) admitted practising HMD. Out of this, 91.96% reported experiencing a favourable outcome of complete recovery of their children without visiting health facilities. There was an association between maternal age and the practice of HMD (p<0.05).

The findings from this study call for more intensive advocacy and campaigns by the local health authorities and all stakeholders in favour of the promotion of the consistent practice of WHO-recommended guidelines only for the home management of diarrhoea, particularly among mothers and care-givers of under-five children.         

Keywords: diarrhoea, home management, methods, mothers, outcomes, under fives