Examining knowledge and traditional practices of mothers with children under five in Turkey on diarrhoea according to education levels

Abstract

Background Diarrhoea still ranks among the top causes of the deaths of children under five years old in the world. In solving this important health problem, it is necessary and imperative to know the health-related knowledge levels of mothers who take care of the child individually and the traditional practices they perform when their children are sick, in order to provide effective health education. Aim This study aims to examine the knowledge levels and traditional practices of mothers with children younger than 5 years old regarding diarrhoea in relation to their education levels. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey. The population of this cross-sectional study consisted of mothers with children under the age of 5 who lived in the metropolitan city Bursa in the South Marmara Region of Turkey. The survey was applied among the mothers of children under the age of 5 using the snowball sampling method via mobile platforms. The data were collected via Google Forms using a “Socio-Demographic Data Collection Form”, an “Information Form on Measuring the Knowledge Level of Mothers on Diarrhoea” and a “Form on Main Traditional Practices Used When Children Have Diarrhoea in Turkey” prepared by the researchers after a review of the relevant literature. Results In the study, the mean total diarrhoea knowledge score of the participating mothers was found to be 22.01 ± 3.72 (high). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between the total diarrhoea knowledge scores of the participants and other variables. The difference in the knowledge scores based on education levels was statistically significant ( p < .001). The most prevalently preferred traditional practice in the case of children's diarrhoea was “feeding the child banana” (92.5%). Conclusion Maternal education level is determined to be a significant variable that positively affects diarrhoea knowledge levels. KEY MESSAGES Diarrhoea continues to be among the top five preventable causes of death in the world and Turkey among children under the age of 5. The knowledge level of mothers about diarrhoea plays an important role in diarrhoea management. The level of knowledge about diarrhoea differs according to the education level of mothers. Traditional practices have an important place in the management of diarrhoea by mothers.

Knowledge, Perceptions and Practices about Oral Rehydration Therapy in Under Five Children Suffering from Diarrhea in Mirpur, AJK

“…In a study conducted in Turkey, it was reported that mean age of mothers was 32.37±4.63 and the 14.4% had completed their primary education while 17.9% had completed their secondary education and 45.9% were graduates. Similarly, they have reported that 40.2% of mothers were housewives 15 . Majority of our study participants, (78.33%), knew about ORT but 21.67% didn't and preferred home based remedies.…”

“…Kaçan et al have also reported that the study participants in their study used home based remedies to treat diarrhea in their children. Preferred ones were giving banana, mashed potatoes or porridge 15 . Different other studies also reported that a wide variety of home remedies were used by mothers/care-givers for treating diarrhea such as sugar-salt mix for drinking, breast feeding, drinking rice water or fruit juice, using soups, yogurt or mashed potatoes 15,16,17 .…”

Provision of education to increase knowledge in the prevention of diarrhea in children

“…Education can raise awareness of mothers' risks of diarrhea in children and its impact on their health. This awareness can motivate mothers to pay more attention to hygiene practices, nutrition, and other factors that can affect diarrhea prevention (Yüksel Kaçan, Palloş and Özkaya, 2022). Education provides more in-depth information about the causes of diarrhea in terms of bacterial, viral, and environmental factors.…”

Mothers participation in caring for hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis: A quasi‐experimental study

“…Most mothers preferred to feed their children with banana during diarrhoea (92.5%) (Kaçan et al, 2022).…”

“…In another study, the knowledge score of participating mothers was high. Most mothers preferred to feed their children with banana during diarrhoea (92.5%) (Kaçan et al, 2022).…”