KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR RELATING TO CHILDHOOD DIARRHOEA AMONG MOTHERS OF UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN IN ENI-OSA COMMUNITY IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Concurrent field work experiences have revealed that childhood diarrhoea constitute a major public health concern in Eni-Osa. Mothers of under-five in this community have pivotal roles to play in the prevention and management of childhood diarrhoea. Childhood diarrhoea is one of the leading causes of death among under-five, appropriate preventive practices including seeking for health care are rarely taken by mothers. However, evidenced based information on diarrhoea related health seeking behaviour as well as the associated knowledge and perception have not been fully investigated. This study was therefore, designed to investigate the knowledge, perception and the health-seeking behaviour relating to childhood diarrhoea among mothers of under-fives in Eni-Osa. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted and a four-stage sampling technique was used to select 397 mothers of under-five children. A validated semi-structured- interviewer administered questionnaire, was used for data collection. The instrument included questions on the following: socio-demographic characteristics; respondents living condition; knowledge of diarrhoea; perception of diarrhoea; experiences of diarrhoea, health-seeking behaviour relating to childhood diarrhoea; and the treatment pathways relating to childhood diarrhoea. Respondents’ knowledge and perception were measured using 44-and-12 points scales respectively. Knowledge scores of <22, 22-< 33.0 and >33.0 points were rated as poor, fair and good respectively. Perception scores of < 6 points indicates ‘risky/Unfavourable perception’ while scores of >6 points indicated ‘favourable/Non-risky perception’ Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, T-test, F-test and Chi-square test with level of significance set at 0.05. Respondents’ mean age was 28.7 ± 5.8 years; slightly over half of them (50.9%) were Christians, 46.6% were Muslims and 88.9% of the respondents were Yoruba. Respondents mean knowledge score was 30.5 ± 8.0, with 49.0% having fair knowledge; 30.0% had good knowledge while 21.0% had poor knowledge. Perception of diarrhoea was found to be favourable (6.5 ± 2.0). The perception 92.2% mothers relating to the seriousness of diarrhoea was in line with the biomedical world view. Respondents who perceived their under-five children to be vulnerable to diarrhoea constituted 53.4%. The prevalence of diarrhoea among under-five children was 64.9%. Majority (76.1%) of respondent was aware of SSS, but only 29.0% was knowledgeable about the steps for preparing it Oral Rehydration Solution or Salt Sugar Solution (54.1%) constituted the most common first aid care for childhood diarrhoea among mothers. The treatment pathways adopted by respondents can be differentiated into two typologies- formal facility-based health care (70.5%) and use of informal health care (29.5%) facilities. Some (20.8%) respondents used antibiotics. There were gaps in respondent’s knowledge of diarrhoea and some inappropriate perceptions and management practices related to childhood diarrhoea were noted. Training, clinic-based patient education and community based public enlightenment strategies are needed to address the identified concerns.