Knowledge and practices regarding oral rehydration therapy among mothers in rural area of Vasind, India

The oral rehydration therapy is the keystone of National Diarrhoeal Disease Control Programme. The packets of oral rehydration salts (ORS) are available at the Primary health centres as well as in chemist shops. There are depot holders of ORS packets in the community too. Most of the times the health care workers do not emphasise the role, benefits and method of preparation of ORS. As a result of this mothers do not know the right method of preparation of ORS and do not understand the need to give ORS to the child. To study awareness about ORS, depot holders of ORS and importance of ORS. To study knowledge about preparation of ORS solution. Mothers whose children were in the age group of 0-5 years were interviewed. One hundred forty five (89%) of mothers were aware about ORS. Only 39.31% of mothers knew that ORS replenishes the water lost during diarrhoea. 31.72% mothers felt that ORS stops loose motions. In spite of having correct knowledge of preparation many of them followed wrong practice of preparation. Demonstration of correct preparation of ORS solution should be inbuilt in the health education package of the Oral Rehydration Therapy for Diarrhoeal diseases. Health care providers must emphasise about the role of ORS in prevention of dehydration so that mothers give ORS to the child.