Knowledge and Use of Oral Rehydration Solution in the Management of Childhood Diarrhoea among Mothers in a Tertiary Health Facility in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria

Introduction: Oral rehydration solution (ORS) has been a life-saving remedy in the home and hospital management of dehydration, particularly in infants and children under the age of five. The improper use has however resulted in morbidity and mortality in children. The purpose of this study is to assess proper use of ORS by mothers in the management of diarrhoea in under-five children.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over 3 months. Mothers of children under five years of age presenting with diarrhoea at the Diarrhoea Training Unit of a tertiary hospital were interviewed using a pretested structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0.

Results: A total of 90 mothers were interviewed. 86.7% of respondents were of a high socioeconomic class. 51.1% of children with diarrhoea were between 6-15months of age. (Mean age of 17 + 12.3 months). Although 93.3% of mothers were aware of ORS, 64.4% reported using it to treat their children. Only 40 (44.4%) respondents constituted ORS appropriately and discarded unused portions at 24 hours.

Conclusion: Although mothers of under-five children are aware of the efficacy of ORS in the management of diarrhoea, their knowledge of its proper use is limited. Increased awareness among mothers of under-five children about the proper use of ORS is necessary to avoid debilitating complications such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, etc.