Diarrhoea in urban slums: Karachi
Ali, S.M.
Dialogue on Diarrhoea 31: 5
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0950-0235 PMID: 12316528 Document Number: 299908
Families from the pediatrics outpatient department at Lyari General Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan were questioned on their knowledge of diarrhea and ORT. Children included in the examination were, on average, less than 5 years, many with malnutrition, and about half suffered from diarrhea. Parents were questioned as to what caused diarrhea in their children, and over half believed ignorance of hygiene was the root cause, 18% cited teething or artificial milk as the culprits, and 34% were unaware of the cause of diarrhea; 2/3 of the parents interviewed, however, were fully aware diarrhea could lead to death. Of the 100 respondents, 68 knew about oral rehydration therapy and responded to correct application of treatment as follows: Drugs and ORT - 63, drugs alone - 29, ORT alone - 5, not known - 32. When queried about the specifics of ORT, 55 responded they'd use salt sugar solution, and 1.3 did not know that to use. More than 1.2 the families said they became aware of ORT through doctors and hospitals: of 40 families interviewed only a few admitted they were aware of ORT through radio or TV. Lack of media exposure to ORT is probably due to governmental carelessness and slow response to ORS publicity. The publicity campaign has already showed results with increased awareness and successful use of ORT. A decrease in morbidity of children 5 years and under has been recorded.