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  • Title: Patterns of use of oral rehydration therapy in an urban slum community.
    Author: Bhandari N, Qadeer I, Bhan MK.
    Journal: J Indian Med Assoc; 1995 Jun; 93(6):239-42. PubMed ID: 7499898.
    Abstract:
    The program for the control of diarrheal diseases was launched in India in 1987. The authors report their findings from a study of whether program messages reached the intended audience and through which sources. Mothers in the urban slum of Tigri, New Delhi, in 200 households with at least one child under age five were interviewed to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and reported practices with regard to diarrhea management in children. In the 291 episodes occurring among the 109 enrolled children, home available fluids in more than the usual amounts were used in 8.2% of episodes, sugar salt solution (SSS) in 14.7% of cases, oral rehydration salt (ORS) solution in 7.9% of cases, and either of these in 29.4% of cases. SSS is comprised of one teaspoon of sugar and one two-finger pinch of salt in one glass of water. The method of preparation was found to be correct in 73% of ORS users and 33% of SSS users. ORS was given for one day in the majority of episodes, with only two children consuming it daily throughout the episode. SSS, however, tended to be used for 3-4 days. The amount of ORS administered to children was inadequate at all ages, with the majority consuming only spoonfuls or a few sips. Very rarely was a glass per day consumed. SSS was consumed in larger amounts, with older children consuming 1-2 glasses per day. 86% of children accepted SSS compared to 65% who accepted ORS. Although the majority of mothers had heard about ORS and the need to use it or increase the use of fluids during diarrhea, it is clear that measures are needed to increase the use of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) beyond simple awareness promotion. The sustained use of ORT in repeated episodes, increased use of home available fluids during diarrhea, reasons for using ORT, information sources, perception of role, socioeconomic correlates of ORT, illness characteristics and ORT use, reasons for not using ORT, types of ORS used, method of preparing ORS and SSS, maternal knowledge of preparing ORS and SSS, child acceptance of ORT, and implications for the National Diarrheal Disease Control Program are discussed.
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