title: Knowledge about prevention and management of acute diarrhoea among caregivers of children aged under 5 years treated at an emergency department in Pernambuco, Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The World Health Organization stresses the need for training families in the adequate management of acute diarrhoea to reduce child mortality and morbidity. This study analysed caregiver knowledge about diarrhoea prevention and management in north-east Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study of 213 children aged under 5 years treated at a public emergency department in Pernambuco, Brazil. Caregiver knowledge was assessed with a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Caregivers believed that breastfeeding until age 6 months, not using tap water for food preparation, vaccination against rotavirus and other diseases help prevent diarrhoea. Regarding treatment, caregivers reported taking children to the hospital at the first sign of diarrhoea (57.3%), administering medication (68.1%) and withholding solids (63.7%). Only 40.8% knew how to prepare oral rehydration solution; 78.4% believed it could cure diarrhoea. Only 43.9% of caregivers mentioned one or more signs of dehydration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Caregivers in this region had limited knowledge of appropriate diarrhoea management.
authors.affiliation: Professor and Coordinator, Pediatrics Internship Program, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina, PE, Brazil Physician Preceptor, Medical Residency Program in Pediatrics, Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira/Hospital Dom Malam, Petrolina, PE, Brazil yuri.francilane@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Yuri Fc
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.affiliation: Secretary, Recife Department of Health, Recife, PE, Brazil Adjunct Professor, School of Medical Sciences of Universidade de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jailson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de B Correia
authors.affiliation: Research Leader, Child Health Study Group, Diretoria de Pesquisa, Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira (IMIP), Recife, PE, Brazil Coordinator, Tutorship Program, Faculdade Pernambucana de Saúde, Recife, PE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Falbo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Diarrhoea; caregivers; knowledge; management