EXPLORING MATERNAL AWARENESS OF CHILDHOOD DIARRHEA IN THE COMMUNITY OF KARACHI PAKISTAN
Main Article Content
Keywords
Exploring, Maternal, Awareness, Childhood, Diarrhea
Abstract
Background: Diarrhea is characterized by the passage of loose or watery stools, often accompanied by vomiting and dehydration. Childhood diarrhea is a major global health issue affecting millions of children under 5, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Objective: To explore maternal awareness of childhood diarrhea in the community of Karachi, Pakistan.
Methodology: This Survey was conducted in the rural community of Karachi, Pakistan, from December 2022 to April 2023. A total of 100 women were part of this study. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire.
Result: Results indicated that 20% recognized watery stool and increased frequency as diarrhea symptoms, while 40% identified contaminated water and "evil eyes" as causes. Around 70% correctly associated sunken eyes with dehydration signs. Additionally, 30% recognized lethargy as a consequence, 55% knew about weight loss, 40% mentioned oral rehydration for treatment, and 55% recognized hand hygiene for prevention.
Conclusion: The survey underscores mixed maternal awareness of childhood diarrhea, accurately recognizing some symptoms, causes, and prevention measures but persistent misconceptions. Focused education is crucial to rectify misconceptions and improve understanding for effective management.
References
2. Boschi-Pinto C, Velebit L, Shibuya K. Estimating child mortality due to diarrhoea in developing countries. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2008;86(9):710-7.
3. Cohen AL, Platts-Mills JA, Nakamura T, Operario DJ, Antoni S, Mwenda JM, et al. Aetiology and incidence of diarrhoea requiring hospitalization in children under 5 years of age in 28 low-income and middle-income countries: findings from the Global Pediatric Diarrhea Surveillance network. BMJ Global Health. 2022;7(9):e009548.
4. Khalil IA, Troeger C, Rao PC, Blacker BF, Brown A, Brewer TG, et al. Morbidity, mortality, and long-term consequences associated with diarrhoea from Cryptosporidium infection in children younger than 5 years: a meta-analyses study. The Lancet Global Health. 2018;6(7):e758-e68.
5. Kassaw MW, Abebe AM, Kassie AM, Abate BB, Tegegne KD, Masresha SA. Evidence from 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey data: maternal practice in managing childhood diarrhea at home. Journal of Pediatric Nursing. 2020;55:e250-e6.
6. Dagnew AB, Tewabe T, Miskir Y, Eshetu T, Kefelegn W, Zerihun K, et al. Prevalence of Diarrhea and associated factors among under-five children in Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia, 2016: a cross-sectional study. BMC infectious Diseases. 2019;19:1-7.
7. Walker CLF, Rudan I, Liu L, Nair H, Theodoratou E, Bhutta ZA, et al. Global burden of childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea. The Lancet. 2013;381(9875):1405-16.
8. Carlton EJ, Woster AP, DeWitt P, Goldstein RS, Levy K. A systematic review and meta-analysis of ambient temperature and diarrhoeal diseases. International journal of epidemiology. 2016;45(1):117-30.
9. Rosyida DAC, Hidayatunnikmah N. Maternal attitude in the handling of diarrhea in infant. Jurnal Medicoeticolegal Dan Manajemen Rumah Sakit. 2020;9(1):23-9.
10. Akachi Y, Canning D. Health trends in Sub-Saharan Africa: conflicting evidence from infant mortality rates and adult heights. Economics & Human Biology. 2010;8(2):273-88.
11. Andualem Z, Dagne H, Taddese AA, Dagnew B. Mothers' Handwashing Knowledge as a Predictor of Diarrheal Disease Among Under-Five Children Visiting Pediatric Ward in University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2019. Pediatric health, medicine and therapeutics. 2019:189-94.
12. Geldsetzer P, Williams TC, Kirolos A, Mitchell S, Ratcliffe LA, Kohli-Lynch MK, et al. The recognition of and care seeking behaviour for childhood illness in developing countries: a systematic review. PloS one. 2014;9(4):e93427.
13. Khaliq A, Amreen, Jameel N, Krauth SJ. Knowledge and practices on the prevention and management of diarrhea in children under-2 years among women dwelling in urban slums of Karachi, Pakistan. Maternal and child health journal. 2022;26(7):1442-52.
14. Momoh FE, Olufela OE, Adejimi AA, Roberts AA, Oluwole EO, Ayankogbe OO, et al. Mothers' knowledge, attitude and home management of diarrhoea among children under five years old in Lagos, Nigeria. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine. 2022;14(1):3119.
15. Shewangizaw B, Mekonen M, Fako T, Hoyiso D, Borie YA, Yeheyis T, et al. Knowledge and attitude on home-based management of diarrheal disease among mothers/caregivers of under-five children at a tertiary hospital in Ethiopia. The Pan African Medical Journal. 2023;44.
16. Yüksel Kaçan C, Palloş A, Özkaya G. Examining knowledge and traditional practices of mothers with children under five in Turkey on diarrhoea according to education levels. Annals of Medicine. 2022;54(1):674-82.
17. Keto T, Alemu Y, Mamo A. Mothers' perception and management preference of acute diarrheal disease. Int J Public Health. 2020;9(4):338-46.
18. Ndayisaba A, Uwizeyimana A, Tuyisenge MJ, Chironda G. Knowledge and practices of mothers on home management of diarrhoea in under-fives children at selected primary health care Centre, Rwanda: A descriptive cross-sectional study. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences. 2022;17:100508.
19. Okoh BA, Alex-Hart BA. Home management of diarrhoea by caregivers presenting at the diarrhoea training unit of a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria. British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research. 2014;4(35):5524-40.
20. IbrahimAbd Al-Moniem I, AbdElfatah Ali E, Mohamed Mohamed S. Maternal Traditional practice toward their Children Suffering from Diarrheal Disease. Egyptian Journal of Health Care. 2022;13(4):1139-47.
Article Sidebar
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All articles published in JPTCP are licensed under Copyright Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Javed Iqbal
Nursing Management Department Communicable Disease center-Hamad Medical Corporation Doha Qatar.
Dr. Asfand yar Khalid
Medical Education, Hamad medical Corporation Doha Qatar PO.BOX 3050.
Dr. Muna Al Maslamani
Medical Director-Communicable Disease Center / Head of Infectious Disease-HMC.
Dr Maliha B.Thapur
Consultant Division of Infectious Disease/Medicine Communicable disease center- Hamad Medical.
Rizwan Ali
Horizon School of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Afsha Bibi
MSN Scholar at Ziauddin University Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery.
Dr Mohd Abu Khattab
Sensior Consultant of Infectious Disease/Medicine Communicable disease center- Hamad Medical Doha Qatar.
Dr Muna Al Rashid
Assistant Excutive Directore of Quality Improvemnet Communicable Disease center Hamad Medical Doha Qatar
Amir Sultan
Assistant professor Tasleem College of Nursing and health sciences.
Muhammmad Hasnain Shaikh
Horizon School of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Nasir Ali
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist.