Abstract:

Background: Diarrheal disease is the global public health problems affecting underfive children , it is associated with more than 560,000 deaths and 1.806 million children aged 6months to 5 years cases around the world each year.

Objectives: this study aimed to identify knowledge and attitude on the cause and practices of caregivers on the management of diarrhoea among children aged 6 months to 5 years

Methodology: This was cross-sectional study conducted at Bugando medical centre, July-August 2023. The study participants were all caregivers of children aged between 6moths to 5 years admitted at Bugando medical centre. Convenience sampling method used to select 143 samples who have accepted to fill consent form and respond to all questionnaires. Data analysis done using both Microsoft excel and Statistical package social sciences (SPSS) Version 20.

Results: A total of 143 caregivers with mean age 31.5years were recruited in the study in which 120(83.7%) were females. 111 out of 120 females were mothers of the children. The study found that; 136(95.1%) caregivers understand the meaning of diarrhoea, 99(69.1%) able to identify causes of diarrhoea and knows preventive measures of diarrhoea. Unconvincely; the study found large number of caregiver 43(30.1%) have no ideas on risk factors of diarrhoea in children and also135 (95%) did not know use of ORS and zinc tablets particularly at home.

Conclusion: There was a good knowledge and attitude on the causes and practices of management of diarrhoea in children aged between six months and five years. Also The study found poor knowledge and treatment practice particularly self administering ORS fluids and zinc tablets at home.

Recommendation: There should be increase of emphasizes in health educational programs on diarrheal preventions and controls of risk factors so as to reduce burden of the disease in the community