Factors contributing to the development of dehydration among under five years children with diarrhoea in Thulamela B. Clinics, Vhembe District

Abstract

Diarrhoea is a major public health problem in Nepal as evident from its increasing incidence and fatality Unlike other diseases, diarrhoea is generally not considered as an illness and, thus most diarrheal cases are either not managed at all or managed at home through traditional approaches. The main purpose of this study is to assess factors contributing to the development of dehydration amongst under five children with diarrhoea in Thulamela B clinics. A quantitative approach using descriptive cross sectional survey design will be conducted among 487 mothers to be conveniently selected from purposively selected three Clinics in Thulamela B area. A self-administered closed-ended questionnaire will be used to collect the data for the study and the validity of the instrument will be ensured and, the development of the instrument will be guided by a wide range of literature and the inputs of experts. The instrument will be test-retested for reliability and the responses will be compared using Cronbach’s alpha. Data will be captured and coded into a computer using Microsoft Excel 2013 and will be analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 22.0. Descriptive statistics will be used to analyse and association will be tested through cross tabulation chi-square and the results will be presented in tables and charts. Envisaged results will reveal the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers of under five children regarding dehydration and childhood diarrhoea. The study findings will therefore be significance in assisting successful recommendations to be identified.The study concludes that even though respondents were knowledgeable about the disease, and were aware about some of its causes; their overall practices can expose their children to diarrheal diseases. The study recommends that the Department of Health conduct awareness campaigns to teach mothers how to manage diarrhoea. Nurses at the PHCs should all be trained on the use of IMCI strategies so that they may communicate appropriate information and skills to mothers on identification of early signs of dehydration, its complications and appropriate diarrhoea management knowledge, practices and skills. The Department of Health must appoint IMCI coordinators in each local area so that they may supervise, do follow ups after IMCI trainings, do support visits on monthly basis and emphasize IMCI strategies to be implemented in all Primary Health Care facilities (PHC).