Effect of Health Education Intervention On Diarrhea Prevention Practices Among Mothers of Under-5 Children in Abia State, Nigeria (Published)
Delayed response to the onset of diarrhea in infants caused by poor sanitation and delay in responding to signs and symptoms can be fatal, as evidenced by mortality in children attributable to diarrhea, occasioned by inadequate understanding of the dangers and consequences involved due to poor knowledge of far-reaching consequences, inadequate prevention and skills to manage the condition as it develops. This study evaluated the effect of a health education intervention on diarrhea prevention practices among mothers with children under the age of five in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. This study employed a quasi-experimental research design. From population of 350 under-5 mothers in the Local government, a sample size of 60 was determined using power formula. Systematic sampling was used to select the mothers. The health education intervention involved a control and experimental group. The duration of program was one hour weekly didactic intervention for six weeks. A structured validated questionnaire was used to collect data at baseline, at 6th and 12th week post intervention. The Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients for the constructs ranged from 0.75 to 0.87. The mother’s prevention practices were measured on a 27-point rating scale. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at α = 0.05 level of significance.Findings showed that between the baseline and the post-immediate there was a significant difference in the mean prevention score in the experimental group (from 19.03±5.91 to 22.20±3.67 at p< 0.05. However, there was no significant difference (p >0.05) in the mean prevention score of the control group (from20.13 ± 4.89 to 20.8 ± 3.41). In conclusion, the health education intervention was effective increasing the mother’s prevention and home management practices of diarrhea. It is recommended that matrons and nurses in charge of antenatal and postnatal clinics should teach mothers about prevention andhome management of diarrhea.
Keywords: Abia, Health education, Mothers, Prevention, diarrhea, under-five children
Analysis of the Perceptions of Mothers on Hygiene Factors Affecting Diarrhea Occurrence in Enugu State, Nigeria. (Published)
Owing to the fact that perceptions of mothers on the hygiene factors affecting diarrhea occurrence contribute to their level of hygiene practice which may affect the incidence of diarrhea within the families, there arises the need to analyze the perception of mothers on these hygiene factors in Enugu State. The methodology adopted for the study was longitudinal survey design. Schedules were used to collect data on diarrhea among children 0-5 years from seven District Hospitals representing District Health Boards from 2007 to 2016 while questionnaire was used to collect data in respect of perceptions of mothers on hygiene factors. A total of 1110 questionnaire were administered and 1106 collected. Analysis of variance ANOVA was conducted and the study found that the perceptions of mothers on hygiene factors affecting diarrhea occurrence differ very significantly amongst the study locations (p = 0.000). Furthermore, using multiple comparison tests to detect and rank the mothers perception in the different study locations, Enugu District Health Board has the highest perception, followed by Agbani and Udi District Health Boards. Nsukka, Awgu, Isi-Uzo and Enugu-Ezike District Health Boards have very low perceptions. Nsukka and Awgu recorded the highest cases of diarrhea within the period under study. It is recommended that mothers in the area should be educated to maintain high level of personal hygiene of themselves and their children especially areas with very low perceptions. Further study of stools of these children to identify the pathogens responsible for the diarrhea is required
Keywords: Hygiene, Mothers Perception, diarrhea
Analysis of the Perceptions of Mothers on Hygiene Factors Affecting Diarrhea Occurrence in Enugu State, Nigeria (Published)
Owing to the fact that hygiene of mothers and children has been a critical factor in combating diarrhea which has contributed to high mortality and morbidity in Enugu State, and the fact that perceptions of mothers on the hygiene factors affecting diarrhea occurrence determine their health behavior towards hygiene practices, there arises the need to analyze the perception of mothers on these hygiene factors in Enugu State. The methodology was longitudinal survey design. Schedules were used to collect data on diarrhea among children 0-5 years from seven District Hospitals representing District Health Boards from 2007 to 2016. Questionnaire was used to collect data on perceptions of mothers. A total of 1110 questionnaire were administered and 1106 collected. Analysis of variance ANOVA was conducted and the study found that the perceptions of mothers on hygiene factors affecting diarrhea occurrence differ significantly amongst the study locations (p = 0.000). Furthermore, using multiple comparison tests to detect and rank the mothers perception in the different study locations, Enugu District Health Board has the highest perception, followed by Agbani and Udi. Nsukka, Awgu, Isi-Uzo and Enugu-Ezike District Health Boards have low perceptions. Nsukka and Awgu recorded highest cases of diarrhea within the period under study. Education on high level of personal hygiene of mothers and children is recommended to reduce infant mortality and morbidity. Further study of stools of these children to identify the pathogens responsible for the diarrhea is required.
Keywords: Hygiene, Mothers Perception, diarrhea