European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

The aim of this study is to Study the knowledge & practices of service providers on diarrhoea, its prevention & management of diarrhoeal diseases among under 5 children. 12 Anganwadis, 6 each from urban and rural block were selected by random sampling. For the selection of beneficiaries mothers of under 5 children were selected by sequential sampling at selected study sites and through house to house interviews in areas in proximity to selected study site to achieve the required study sample.
Result: There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) between service providers for their knowledge regarding general aspects of diarrhoea and its misconceptions. The knowledge was good for HW(F)s (74), and Poor for ASHAs (47.8) and AWW’s (40.6) regarding General aspects of diarrhoea. misconceptions like no requirement of treatment for seasonal diarrhoea and diarrhoea is not a serious illness were high (57% &50%) and misconceptions were highest regarding diarrhoea in AWWs.There was a significant difference (p<0.001) between service providers for their knowledge regarding treatment during diarrhoea. The knowledge was maximum for HW(F)s , followed by ASHA and AWW. The knowledge levels for treatment were poor in AWW (27%)
Conclusion: Most common source of knowledge was private sector health providers which constituted 61%. The care seeking from private sector was higher in rural areas. Public health providers were a source of knowledge in 21 % of beneficiaries. The most common place of care seeking was private sector by 61% of beneficiaries. Government sector was utilised by 23.5 % of beneficiaries’ .utilisation of government sector was higher in urban areas. In Anganwadis, ORS-Zinc corners were functional in only 25%. According to guidelines the ORS-Zinc corners should also be established at clinics of private providers giving treatment of under 5 children It was found that no corners were established at their clinics.