Oral Rehydration Therapy Utilization and Associated Factors Among Children with Diarrhea in Debre Berhan, Ethiopia,
Abate Dargie Wubetu1, Abayneh Shewangzaw Engda1, Hailu Belay Yigzaw2
1Debre Berhan University, College of Health Science, Department of Psychiatry, Debre Berhan, Amhara, Ethiopia.
Insights
Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is crucial for treating childhood diarrhea. This study found that 73% of caregivers used ORT, with previous use, knowledge, and recognizing dehydration signs being key factors for its utilization.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is a life-saving intervention for childhood diarrhea and vomiting.
- Millions of deaths annually result from ineffective fluid replacement during diarrheal episodes.
- Prompt ORT administration can prevent nearly all dehydration-related deaths.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the utilization of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) among children with diarrhea.
- To identify factors associated with ORT utilization in Debre Berhan town.
Main Methods:
- A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2020.
- Systematic random sampling was used to select 233 participants.
- Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified significant predictor variables for ORT utilization.
Main Results:
- 73% of caregivers reported administering ORT to their children.
- Significant factors associated with ORT utilization included previous ORT use, health-seeking behavior, knowledge of ORT, perception of tooth eruption, understanding weaning as a cause of diarrhea, and recognizing dehydration severity signs.
Conclusions:
- Nearly two-thirds of mothers utilized ORT for their children during diarrheal episodes.
- Factors such as prior ORT experience, health knowledge, and recognizing dehydration signs positively influenced ORT use.
- Addressing barriers to ORT administration is essential for improving its utilization in managing childhood diarrhea.
Background:
Oral rehydration therapy is a critical intervention to save the lives of children during episodes of diarrhea and vomiting. However, millions of children die every year due to failure to replace fluid effectively. Nearly all dehydration-related deaths can be preventable by prompt administration of rehydration therapy. The current study aimed to assess oral rehydration therapy utilization and associated factors among children with diarrhea in Debre Berhan town.
Methods:
Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2020. The study participants were selected by systematic random sampling. The first household was selected randomly by the lottery method. The collected data were checked for completeness and relevance, and then entered into EPI data and transferred to SPSS for analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the ORT utilization and predictor variables. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered a cutoff point for statistical significance for all statistical tests.
Results:
The study included 233 participants with a 99% response rate. Among them, 73% [95% Cl: 66.8 78.6] of caregivers had given oral rehydration therapy to their children. Previous use of oral rehydration therapy [AOR: 5.3, Cl: 2.1-13.32], health-seeking behavior [AOR: 5.7, Cl: 2.07-15.6], knowledge about oral rehydration therapy [AOR: 4.2, Cl: 1.7-10.46], caregivers' perception of tooth eruption [AOR: 3.13, Cl: 1.08-9], weaning as causes of diarrhea [AOR: 6.7, Cl: 2.49-17.9], and recognize the severity sign of dehydration [AOR: 5.6, Cl: 2.16-14.7] became significant factors of oral rehydration therapy.
Conclusion:
Nearly two-thirds of the mothers give oral rehydration therapy while their child develops diarrhea. Mothers had previous oral rehydration therapy, good health-seeking behavior, knowledge about oral rehydration therapy, caregivers' perception of tooth eruption, and weaning as causes of diarrhea. Signs to recognize the severity of dehydration were important factors with oral rehydration therapy utilization. It will be better to give mothers special attention to hindering factors from giving oral rehydration therapy for their beloved child during diarrheal disease.
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