Publication:

Evaluation of the awareness and utilization of oral rehydration salt and zinc in managing diarrhoea among under-five children in Oyo State, Nigeria

Background Nigeria ranks as one of the countries with the highest negative consequences of diarrhoea in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of the study was to evaluate the awareness and utilization of ORS and zinc in managing diarrhoea among under-five children (U5C) in Oyo state, Nigeria.

Methods Data was obtained from a cross-sectional survey (n=1154) as well as focus group discussions among mothers/caregivers of U5C and key informant interviews in Oyo state. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results Nine of every ten caregivers were aware of the use of ORS/zinc for managing diarrhoea cases. Prevalence of ever-use of ORS/zinc for managing diarrhoea cases was 5.4% while the prevalence of having diarrhoea recently was 6.2% (71/1154). Of the 71 mothers whose U5C recently had diarrhoea, 41 (57.7%) used ORS/zinc to manage a recent episode of diarrhoea. Adjusted odds of using ORS/zinc to manage diarrhoea was 2.64 (aOR=2.64; 95%CI: 1.18-10.27 times higher among children who are the first births than those with fourth or higher birth order. The adjusted odds of using ORS/zinc to manage diarrhoea was 9 times (aOR= 9.15; 95%CI: 1.99-34.47) higher among mothers aged 20 to 24 years than those aged 30 to 39 years.

Conclusions Despite the high level of awareness of use of ORS and zinc in managing diarrhoea, ever-utilization is low but recent use by three-fifths of caregivers is fair. There is a need for Oyo state ministry of health and other stakeholders to promote the use of ORS and zinc in managing diarrhoea.