HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT OF CHILDHOOD DIARRHOEA IN OVIA NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE NIGERIA
Year of Publication
Publication Type
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Childhood diarrhoea remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among under-five children, especially in low-resource settings where poor sanitation, limited access to safe water, and inappropriate home care practices persist.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed household management of childhood diarrhoea in Ovia North East Local Government Area, Benin City, in order to provide evidence for interventions that will improve home-based care and reduce complications among under-five children.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 436 caregivers of under-five children residing in Ovia North East Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State. Data were collected using interviewer-administered structured questionnaires adapted from United Nations Children's Fund and World Health Organization tools on childhood diarrhoea management. Data collected were entered and analysed using IBM SPSS version 25.0, with statistical significance set at p < 0.050 and 95% confidence interval.
RESULTS
Mean age of respondents studied was 39.2 ± 10.6 years, and the majority were females 371 (85.1%). More than half of caregivers 232 (53.2%) correctly defined diarrhoea as passage of three or more loose or watery stools in 24 hours, while 228 (52.3%) identified danger signs of dehydration. Almost half of the under-five children 212 (48.6%) had experienced diarrhoea in the two weeks preceding the survey, and 101 (47.6%) of these passed stool three times or more in 24 hours. Blood in stool was reported in 56 (26.4%) of diarrhoeal episodes. In the six months preceding the study, 143 (32.8%) had experienced two episodes of diarrhoea, while 104 (23.9%) had experienced three or more episodes. Utilization of recommended management options was poor, with only about one-quarter of caregivers giving oral rehydration solution during diarrhoeal episodes and an even smaller proportion giving zinc. Feeding practices were also suboptimal, as slightly more than half of caregivers had poor feeding practices during diarrhoea. Furthermore, family type (χ² = 14.685; p < 0.001), monthly income (χ² = 7.430; p = 0.024), household size (χ² = 6.867; p = 0.009), and spouse occupation skill level (χ² = 4.844; p = 0.028) were identified as significant factors associated with household management of childhood diarrhoea.
CONCLUSION
Childhood diarrhoea was common among under-five children in Ovia North East LGA, with many children experiencing recent and recurrent episodes. Care-seeking practices among caregivers were suboptimal, as delays in seeking appropriate healthcare and reliance on non recommended treatment sources were observed. Utilization of recommended home
management options, particularly Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and zinc supplementation, was poor, while feeding and fluid practices during diarrhoeal episodes were inadequate among many caregivers. Household management of childhood diarrhoea was significantly influenced by socioeconomic and family-related factors such as family type, monthly income, household size, and spouse occupation skill level. These findings highlight the need for targeted health education, improved access to ORS and zinc, promotion of appropriate feeding practices, and strengthened water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions to reduce the burden of childhood diarrhoea among under-five children.
Childhood diarrhoea remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among under-five children, especially in low-resource settings where poor sanitation, limited access to safe water, and inappropriate home care practices persist.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed household management of childhood diarrhoea in Ovia North East Local Government Area, Benin City, in order to provide evidence for interventions that will improve home-based care and reduce complications among under-five children.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 436 caregivers of under-five children residing in Ovia North East Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State. Data were collected using interviewer-administered structured questionnaires adapted from United Nations Children's Fund and World Health Organization tools on childhood diarrhoea management. Data collected were entered and analysed using IBM SPSS version 25.0, with statistical significance set at p < 0.050 and 95% confidence interval.
RESULTS
Mean age of respondents studied was 39.2 ± 10.6 years, and the majority were females 371 (85.1%). More than half of caregivers 232 (53.2%) correctly defined diarrhoea as passage of three or more loose or watery stools in 24 hours, while 228 (52.3%) identified danger signs of dehydration. Almost half of the under-five children 212 (48.6%) had experienced diarrhoea in the two weeks preceding the survey, and 101 (47.6%) of these passed stool three times or more in 24 hours. Blood in stool was reported in 56 (26.4%) of diarrhoeal episodes. In the six months preceding the study, 143 (32.8%) had experienced two episodes of diarrhoea, while 104 (23.9%) had experienced three or more episodes. Utilization of recommended management options was poor, with only about one-quarter of caregivers giving oral rehydration solution during diarrhoeal episodes and an even smaller proportion giving zinc. Feeding practices were also suboptimal, as slightly more than half of caregivers had poor feeding practices during diarrhoea. Furthermore, family type (χ² = 14.685; p < 0.001), monthly income (χ² = 7.430; p = 0.024), household size (χ² = 6.867; p = 0.009), and spouse occupation skill level (χ² = 4.844; p = 0.028) were identified as significant factors associated with household management of childhood diarrhoea.
CONCLUSION
Childhood diarrhoea was common among under-five children in Ovia North East LGA, with many children experiencing recent and recurrent episodes. Care-seeking practices among caregivers were suboptimal, as delays in seeking appropriate healthcare and reliance on non recommended treatment sources were observed. Utilization of recommended home
management options, particularly Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and zinc supplementation, was poor, while feeding and fluid practices during diarrhoeal episodes were inadequate among many caregivers. Household management of childhood diarrhoea was significantly influenced by socioeconomic and family-related factors such as family type, monthly income, household size, and spouse occupation skill level. These findings highlight the need for targeted health education, improved access to ORS and zinc, promotion of appropriate feeding practices, and strengthened water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions to reduce the burden of childhood diarrhoea among under-five children.
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