KNOWLEDGE AND ACCEPTANCE OF ORAL REHYDRATION THERAPY AMONG MOTHERS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DIARRHEA IN UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN IN EJIGBO, OSUN STATE

Diarrhea disease is one of the major cause of child mortality and morbidity in the world and mostly from contaminated food and water source among under five children. AIM: This study aimed at assessing the knowledge and acceptance of oral rehydration therapy by mothers in the management of diarrhea in under-five children in Ejigbo community, Osun State. Method: A descriptive design was used in this study, systemic random sampling technique was used to recruit 220 respondents. A structured questionnaire with reliability index of 0.786 was used as instrument of data collection. The responses were analysed with descriptive statistics (Frequency and table) using SPSS Version 21 and association between categorical variables was tested using chi square test. Results: most of the respondents 109(49.5%) were between the ages of 30-39 years. 80(36.4%) monthly income was 60,000 and above. Majority of the respondents 205(93.2%) were married. Most of the respondents 175(79.5%) heard about diarrhea before. Most of the respondents 159(72.3%) indicated that diarrhea is a passage of watery stool. There is no significant difference between the knowledge and acceptance of oral rehydration therapy in the management of diarrhea among mothers and their acceptance (P=0.805, X²Cal=.061a). Conclusion: The study concluded that 71.8% of the respondents have good knowledge and 28.2% have poor knowledge about diarrhea among under-five children. (72.3%) of the respondents have good knowledge and 27.7% have poor knowledge of oral rehydration therapy in the management of diarrhea in under-five children knowledge of oral rehydration therapy. (70.9%) of the respondents have high level of acceptance and 29.1% have low level of the acceptance of oral rehydration therapy in the management of diarrhea in under-five children. Recommendation: Training, public enlightenment and social marketing strategies are needed to promote the use of oral rehydration therapy among mothers in under-five children.