A study to determine some of the factors associated with diarrhoeal diseases in under five children in lusaka urban.

Abstract

The study comprised 100 women who brought children for under five clinic. Ten (10) women were picked from each clinic. The women included in this study were recruited after the midwife had screened, weighed and vaccinated the child. Verbal consent was obtained from the participants. Fifty (50%) of the women reported that their children were having attacks of diarrhoea in the last four (4) weeks. Fifty (50%) percent of the women gained their knowledge on caring for a child with diarrhoea, through experience and 85% of respondents knew that diarrhoea can be prevented, whereas 25% did not have information on prevention of diarrhoea. Sixty four percent (64%)of the respondents gave ORS as home treatment for diarrhoea, 16% used home remedy (mixed guava and mango leaves boiled the fluid was given to the child). Out of the children who attended the clinic, 70% had diarrhoea and were on supplementary foods. Eighty four percent (84%) of the children who had diarrhoea were last fed by their mothers before the diarrhoeal attack. Forty nine percent (49%) of the children who had attacks of diarrhoea were reported to have had eaten left over meals. Sixty two percent (62%) of the children who had attacks of diarrhoea were from respondents who had a supply of treated water.