Osonwa Kalu O.^1,, Eko Jimmy E.^2,, Ema S.²

The purpose of this study was to determine the utilization of Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) in the management of diarrhea in children among nursing mothers in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was designed to generated data from 200 respondents using multi-staged sampling technique. Data collected from the respondents were analsyed using IBM SPSS version 20.0 and presented in tables and charts. The result obtained from this study showed that most respondents 65(32.5%) were aged 25-29 years followed by 45(22.5%) 30-34 years and 36(18.0%) 20-24 years. About 170(85.0%) respondents were married while 14(7.0%) were single. Respondents were predominantly Christians 181(90.5%) and had attained secondary education 51(25.5%). Major sources of livelihood as indicated by the respondents were farming 51(25.5%), trading 44(22.0%) and civil service 42(21.0%). Income level per month for 47(23.5%) were between N6,000-N15,000 and about 46(23.0%) earned N16,000-N30,000, 31(15.5%) N5,000 and less, 12(6.0%) N31,000-N50,000 and 11(5.5%) N50,000 and above. Most study participants had good knowledge of dirrahoea disease and 124(62.0%) were aware of ORS, but a knowledge gap was noticed in ORS composition and method of preparation. Out of 69(34.5%) respondents who reported that their children had suffered from diarrhea in the past two years, only 30(43.5%) had used ORS to manage diarrhea cases in children. Reasons for non-usage of ORS/SSS among nursing mothers were majorly lack of awareness of ORS/SSS (52.4%), lack of information on ORS/SSS composition and preparation (16.6%) and ORS not readily available (6.9%). Knowledge of diarrhea and ORS has a significant influence on utilization of ORS among nursing mothers (P < 0.05). Hence, health workers need to educate mothers on the benefits of using ORS in the management of diarrhea in children.

oral rehydration salt, nursing mothers, diarrhoea, children, Odukpani LGA