Child diarrhea: oral rehydration therapy and rural mother

The prevalence of diarrhea among children, feeding practices during diarrhea, and knowledge about oral rehydration therapy (ORT) among 2616 mothers and 44 Anganwadi workers (AWWs) of Panchmahals and 2293 mothers and 37 AWWs of Chandrapur districts of Gujarat State and Maharashtra State, respectively, were investigated. The effect of maternal literacy status and nutrition knowledge on mothers' and AWWs' ability to correctly prepare an oral rehydration solution (ORS) was also examined. The prevalence of diarrhea was highest in children less than 2 yr old, and thereafter it showed a consistent decline up to 6 yr. Most of the mothers favored a reduction in the child's food intake during diarrhea, whereas the AWWs favored increasing it. Awareness of mothers about ORT was low, but half of those who were aware could prepare ORS correctly. Maternal literacy status and nutrition knowledge positively affected the mother's understanding of ORT and her ability to prepare ORS. The mother's presence and availability at home positively influenced the utilization of ORS when her child was sick with diarrhea. Thus, poor literacy status, poor nutrition knowledge, and working-mother status appear to limit mothers' ability to utilize ORS to prevent or correct diarrhea-induced dehydration.