International Journal of Medical and Health Research

Authors
Stephen Nanbur, Ringkat Kumzhi Patience, Lydia B. Bulndi, Auta Dauda Abimiku, Gusen Nanle Joseph, Obagu Solomon Abeh, Vasantha Kumari P, Mbursa Champion

Abstract
Globally, an estimated 1.8 billion cases of childhood diarrhea are reported which is responsible for more than three million under five children deaths annually. Diarrhea is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality among young children. In view of this devastating effect of diarrhea, the study was aimed at assessing the knowledge and utilization of Oral Rehydration Therapy [ORT] among mothers in General Hospital, Kwoi, Nigeria. A descriptive hospital based survey was adopted for the study. A self-designed questionnaire, which was validated and found reliable with a content validity index of 0.78 and reliability coefficient of 0.97, was used as instrument. A convenient sampling technique was used to select 232 respondents for the study. Data was collected by administering questionnaires to subjects who visited the hospital for antenatal, immunization or follow-up care services within the first half of 2015. Two hundred and thirty two [232] questionnaires were administered; out of which two hundred and twenty were answered and returned. This represents a response rate of 94.5%/. Data was analyzed using simple frequency distribution tables and percentages. An inferential statistical computation, [Chi-square] was used to test the hypothesis. Findings of the showed that majority, [79%] of respondents were below 36 years [between 16 to 35 years] with the mean age of 28.5 years; and most [98.2%] were married. Further findings revealed that all the respondents [100%] had knowledge on ORT and majority of them, [88.6%] claimed they can prepare ORS/SSS. However a significant proportion [30.3%] of respondents who claimed they know how to prepare ORS/SSS could not prepare it correctly. Utilization of ORT in the management of childhood diarrhea was also high, [80%]. Chi-square analysis [X² = 2.1231, df = 1, at 0.05 Significant Level, Critical value = 3.8415, P value = 0.15] revealed that there is no significant relationship between knowledge and utilization of ORT. It was therefore recommended that mothers should be educated on the correct preparation of ORS/SSS. Mothers should also be encouraged to make use of already prepared ORS sachets whenever they encounter difficulties with preparation of ORS/SSS.