Abstract:

Background: In Tanzania health and demographic survey of 2016, 12% of children under five had diarrhea. In accounts for around 5% of child deaths based on data from facilities. Children with diarrhea should drink more fluids, particularly through ORT on which only 56% of children with diarrhoea received ORT or increased fluids, while 18% received no treatment. Treatment of diarrhoea was developed by the WHO/UNICEF and adopted via STG to health workers. This study assessed the current situation of knowledge and practice for both healthcare providers and caregivers on the treatment of diarrhoea and find out the need for further interventions.

Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted for three weeks at Chamwino District, Dodoma. Data was collected using questionnaire, contain information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and practices on diarrhoea treatment in under five children from both health care providers and caregivers. Appropriate data extraction format was determined to meet objectives based on guidelines. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20. Frequencies and percentages were calculated to describe findings, association between dependent and independent variable was done. P value <0.05 was regarded as statistically significant.

Result/Discussion: A total of 323 children with diarrhoea were include in the study. Of this 42.7% had received inappropriate management. At least one antimicrobial was prescribed to 59.8%. ORS and zinc were prescribed only in 84.8% and 49.8%. Appropriate management among children diagnosed was 13.3%. Antibiotics are prescribed inappropriately for most children with fever. Inadequate knowledge and practice among caregivers were significantly associated with gender, level of education and occupation. On which the knowledge about zinc was very low about 15.8%.

Conclusion: The magnitude of inappropriate antibiotics prescription was high. This highlights the need for urgent action to prevent the development of antibiotic resistant. Existing public health programs targeting management and dehydration should consider gender, level of education, occupation, of caregivers when planning for interventions.