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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of mothers as determinants of gastroenteritis among preschool children in Sedi-Salim District, Kafer Al-Sheikh Governorate. Background Diarrhea has been considered as a major cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years. Most of these deaths are due to dehydration and mismanagement or delayed management of the disease. Most diarrhea episodes are treated at home by mothers. Therefore, the mothers' knowledge in management of diarrhea is likely related to its mortality and morbidity. Patients and methods A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted involving 170 mothers of patients and 352 mothers of controls, who had at least one child aged 2–5 years old. The study was conducted in Elmofty and Shalma family health units as well as the family healthcare center of Sedi-Salim city, which are randomly selected representing the family healthcare facilities in Sedi-Salim District, Kafer Al-Sheikh Governorate. The questions were about demographic characteristics and knowledge and practice regarding childhood diarrhea, and they had been designed to obtain information through an interview. Results The study shows the number of mothers who had good and fair knowledge of diarrhea in the control group was higher than that in the case group. On the contrary, the number of mothers having poor knowledge of diarrhea in case group was higher compared with control group. The aforementioned differences between the two groups are statistically significant. Conclusion There is deficiency in mothers' knowledge and practice regarding dealing with gastroenteritis.

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