Prevalence and prevention of diarrhoea among infants in rural areas of Ekiti state, Nigeria

Abstract

In Nigeria, diarrhoea is the most common cause of gastroenteritis both in children and adult. It is a condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movement per day. The high prevalence of diarrhoea disease is largely attributable to by poor sewerage disposal, contaminated water and poor hygiene at house hold level. This study sought to investigate the prevalence and prevention of diarrhoea among infants in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The survey research design was used to accomplish this study. The study was carried out in the rural areas in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The inhabitants of the area are mainly farmers while some few hands. A sample of One hundred (100) mothers representing was utilized for the study. The primary data was collected by the researcher, using the research instrument questionnaire while secondary data was collected from textbooks, journals and former research carried out on the study. The collected data was organized, tabulated and analyzed by using descriptive statistics using percentage distribution. From the findings, it could be concluded that some nursing mothers still have misconceptions regarding the causes and prevention of diarrhea among under-fivechildren in the study area. There is a need for extensive educational interventions especially rural community dwellers for the improvement in their knowledge and practices about childhood diarrhoea and its management at home.