The use of ORS (Nimkol) in management of childhood diarrhoea by mothers in the suburbs of Rawalpindi-Islamabad

J Pak Med Assoc. 1990 Aug;40(8):178-82.

Abstract

A total of 595 respondents (200 from urban Kachi-abadis and 395 from rural communities of Rawalpindi-Islamabad) were interviewed for their knowledge about the use of ORS (Nimkol) in childhood diarrhoea. Most of the respondents were mothers with low literacy rate (23%). The prevalence of current diarrhoea among children was 36.8% on the day of interview whereas 57% of the children had history of having suffered from an episode of diarrhoea during the past two weeks. About 75% respondents claimed that they had an experience of using ORS (Nimkol). Most of them (72.1%) had used ORS (Nimkol) for childhood diarrhoea and dehydration and 28% had used it for diseases other than childhood diarrhoea or on doctor's advice. Only 11% mothers of children who were currently suffering from diarrhoea were using ORS (Nimkol) and a few mothers mentioned of giving home made fluid remedies like salt-water, salt-sugar-water or lemon-sugar-salt water for childhood diarrhoea. The use of ORS (Nimkol) was more common among the families with higher income. Regarding the preparation of ORS (Nimkol) solution, 57.8% respondents had fairly accurate knowledge. Fifty percent of the respondents had procured ORS (Nimkol) from the hospitals or clinics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diarrhea, Infantile / epidemiology
  • Diarrhea, Infantile / therapy*
  • Fluid Therapy* / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Mothers
  • Pakistan
  • Rural Population
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Urban Population