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. 2024 Oct 9:11:2333794X241288524.
doi: 10.1177/2333794X241288524. eCollection 2024.

Caretaker's Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding the Causes, Treatments, and Risks of Diarrhea Among Under-Five Children in North-Eastern Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study

Edwin Adrian Liheluka  1   2 , Theodora Bali  2 , Eric Lyimo  1 , Denise Dekker  3   4 , Nyasiro Sophia Gibore  2
Affiliations

Caretaker's Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding the Causes, Treatments, and Risks of Diarrhea Among Under-Five Children in North-Eastern Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study

Edwin Adrian Liheluka et al. Glob Pediatr Health. .

Abstract

Background. Pediatric diarrhea remains a public health concern. This study explored caretaker's knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the causes, treatments, and risks of diarrhea among under-fives in Korogwe and Handeni districts, north-eastern Tanzania. Methods. We conducted a qualitative, cross-sectional study. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, and they were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results. Most participants had good knowledge about the risks of diarrhea among under-fives. However, most participants had poor knowledge of the causes and treatments of diarrhea. A significant proportion of participants had negative attitudes and poor practices about the treatment of diarrhea. A small percentage of participants possessed positive attitudes and appropriate practices for managing diarrhea. Conclusion. To bridge the knowledge gaps among caretakers and promote positive attitudes and behaviors about the management of diarrheal diseases, health authorities are urged to strengthen health education in the study communities.

Keywords: attitude; caretakers; diarrhea; knowledge; north-eastern Tanzania; practices; under-5 children.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
A map of the study area (Korogwe and Handeni districts) and health facilities where study participants were identified from DHIS books.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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