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Predictors of Oral Rehydration Therapy use among under-five children with diarrhea in Eastern Ethiopia: a community
Bezatu Mengistie1, Yemane Berhane, Alemayehu Worku
1College of Health Sciences, Haramaya University, PO Box 1570, Harar, Ethiopia. bezex2000@yahoo.com
Insights
Caregivers' prior experience with Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT), seeking health facility advice, and knowledge of ORT significantly increase its use in children with diarrhea. Conversely, believing teething causes diarrhea decreases ORT utilization.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Diarrheal diseases remain a leading cause of mortality in children under five globally.
- Effective fluid replacement through Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) is crucial but underutilized.
- Millions of child deaths occur annually due to inadequate fluid replacement during diarrhea episodes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key predictors influencing the utilization of Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) among children under five presenting with diarrhea.
- To understand factors associated with ORT use to improve child survival rates.
Main Methods:
- An unmatched case-control study was conducted in Eastern Ethiopia.
- Cases comprised 241 children under five with diarrhea who received ORT; controls included 253 children under five with diarrhea who did not receive ORT.
- Factors associated with ORT utilization were compared between case and control groups.
Main Results:
- Caregivers' previous experience with ORT (AOR=4.05) and seeking health facility advice (AOR=3.25) were strong positive predictors of ORT use.
- Knowledge of ORT (AOR=3.09) also positively influenced utilization.
- Perception of teething as a cause of diarrhea was negatively associated with ORT use (AOR=0.61).
Conclusions:
- Strengthening health education on ORT benefits, preparation, and early initiation is vital.
- Targeted interventions are needed for caregivers lacking prior ORT experience or frequent health facility contact.
- Addressing misconceptions, such as teething causing diarrhea, is crucial for improving ORT uptake.
Background:
Rehydration therapy is a critical intervention to save the lives of children during the episodes of diarrhea. However, millions of children die every year due to failure to replace fluid effectively. The objective of this study was to identify the predictors of Oral Rehydration Therapy use among under-five children with diarrhea.
Method:
A community based unmatched case control study was conducted in Kersa district, Eastern Ethiopia, in February, 2011. The cases were 241 under-five children with diarrhea in the preceding two weeks before the survey and who had received Oral Rehydration Therapy while the controls were 253 under-five children with diarrhea in the preceding two weeks before the survey and who had not received Oral Rehydration Therapy. The cases and the controls were compared to find out the factors that were associated with the utilization of Oral Rehydration Therapy.
Result:
The study revealed that caregivers' previous experience of Oral Rehydration Therapy use (AOR = 4.05, 95% CI = 2.63-6.22), seeking advice or treatment from health facilities, (AOR = 3.25, 95% CI = 2.06-5.11) and knowledge of Oral Rehydration Therapy (AOR = 3.09, 95% CI = 1.97-4.85) were found to be the positive determinants of Oral Rehydration Therapy use. Perception of teething as a cause of diarrhea was negatively associated with the utilization of Oral rehydration Therapy (AOR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.37-0.98).
Conclusion:
Health education should be strengthened on the benefit, preparation, early initiation of Oral Rehydration Therapy and the causes of diarrhea. Attention should be given to those who do not have previous experience of Oral Rehydration Therapy use and have less frequent contacts with the health facilities.
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