Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of the Parents about Management of Acute Gastroenteritis.

Proper dehydration management at home could decrease both mortality and morbidity. We aimed to quantify the knowledge, attitude and practice of intermediate and high social status families in diarrhea management.

METHODS

Parents with children aged between 6 months-5 years were enrolled. Sociocultural levels of parents, knowledge, attitude and practice about feeding, fluid intake and usage of oral rehydration fluid for diarrhea were questioned.

RESULTS

There were 189 parents in the study group. Parents with high sociocultural class were 79.4% of the group. Over 90% of the parents stated that breastfeeding should continue. Parents said that food amount should be same (54.1%) or increased (33%). Parents, mostly increased fluid intake in case of diarrhea (93.3%). The difference between sociocultural classes was not significant. Knowledge on usage of oral rehydration fluid was not sufficient.

CONCLUSION

Regardless of sociocultural level all parents should be informed properly on management of diarrhea and dehydration.

Keywords:

Diarrhea, Fluid Therapy, Parents, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Social Class