Home management of acute diarrhoea in Czech children.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate home management of childhood acute diarrhoea.


METHODS
A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted in Prague, Czech Republic. The caregivers of 210 children ages 6 to 59 months were approached in public places and interviewed about the knowledge and use of oral rehydration solution (ORS) and about management of the child's last episode of diarrhoea.


RESULTS
Maternal knowledge of ORS (27.6%) and ORS use (1.9% during the child's last episode of diarrhoea) were low. They were positively associated with education level but not with the source of advice. Small volumes of ORS given and its refusal were issues. Increased amounts of fluid offered to 60% of children were significantly associated with higher maternal education and relatives/friends (76%) as a source of advice rather than a paediatrician (57.9%), the most frequent source of advice (78.1%). Black tea was the most common fluid given (86.2%) followed by plain or mineral water (41.9%). Breast-feeding of all breast-fed children was continued; low-lactose formula was given in 1 case only. Withholding food was rare (5.2%), but the diet of 75.2% cases was modified. Drugs were given to 52.4% children, most frequently smectite and/or probiotics, and antimicrobials were given to 6.4% cases.
Kudlova
Eva
E
Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic. ekudl@lf1.cuni.cz
D000208:Acute Disease; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001628:Beverages; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018153:Czech Republic; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000628:therapy*; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000628:therapy; D004522:Educational Status; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017640:Silicates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D017640:Silicates; C033214:Smectite