FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO LOW UTILIZATION OF ORAL REHYDRATION SOLUTION AMONG MOTHERS OF CHILDREN BELOW FIVE YEARS AT ARUA REGIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL, ARUA DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Aim; To determine the individual, environmental, and health facility factors contributing to low utilization of oral rehydration solutions among mothers of children below five years at Arua Regional Referral Hospital, Arua District.

Methodology:

A descriptive cross-sectional study that employed the simple random method to select 50 respondents who participated in the study. The study data collection tool was a questionnaire. Data was analyzed manually by use of tally sheets and computed into percentages using the Microsoft Excel computer program with illustrated figures and tables for easier interpretation and presented in the form of frequency distribution tables, bar graphs, and pie charts.

Results:

(88%) had ever heard about oral rehydration solution, (61%) knew that ORS protects the child from diarrheal, (68%) agreed that diarrheal is a serious condition that can lead to dehydration. (72%) where from villages, (68%) of their source of water at home was boreholes, (52%) had enough access to materials that are used in the preparation of ORS at home (54%) reported that the quality of ORS which is provided from health facilities and pharmacies was good, (36%) noted that home remedies were the best for diarrheal. 

Conclusion:

Participants were reluctant to administer ORS to their children on time, beliefs towards the effectiveness of ORS in managing diarrhea illness, location of the their homes had an impact on the use of ORS, adequate access to safe water, the influence of community member’s perception towards ORS, participant’s opted home remedies than ORS, poor health-seeking behaviors, and inadequate information from health workers were the outstanding factors contributing to low utilization of oral rehydration solution.

Recommendation:

Arua Regional Referral Hospital should strengthen the strategies and approaches to reach caregivers to increase the coverage of ORS use through intensive health education focusing on the benefits, early initiation, and preparation of ORS.