ARCHIVES
VOL. 10, ISSUE 1 (2025)
Prevalence and knowledge of childhood diarrhoea among mothers in Katsina state, Nigeria
Authors
Murja Nakano Rafindadi, Abdulhamid Ahmed, Mohammed Suleiman, Balogun Joshua Babalola, Jelani Ismaila
Abstract
Diarrhoea is an immediate health threat to
children whose prevalence has remained high in Northern Nigeria. Adequate and
correct knowledge of the disease is essential for reducing its occurrence. The
aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, hygiene practices and prevalence
of childhood diarrhoea among mothers in Katsina State. The study design was
cross sectional descriptive study. Multistage sampling technique was used to
select respondents. Structured, open and close ended interviewer administered
questionnaire and observer checklist were used for data collection. The
Statistical Product for Service Solution (SPSS) version 26 was used for data
analysis. A total of 332 respondents were interviewed. Out of which 30.7% was
reported as diarrhoea prevalence among under-five children. Majority (65.2%)
knew correctly that diarrhoea is said to occur when a child passes loose stool
more than three times within 24hours. Most (77.4%) of the respondents knew that
drinking dirty water can cause diarrhoea, 75.3% were of the view that faeces is
a source of diarrhoea, while 66.0% believed in poor personal hygiene as a cause
of diarrhoea. Conclusively, this study has demonstrated high mothers’ knowledge
and hygiene practices of childhood diarrhoea. However, the prevalence of
childhood diarrhoea is high in Katsina. This may be attributable to the
challenges of poor water sources and insanitary environmental conditions.
Public health interventions that will focus on environmental sanitation and
water supply in suburban and rural communities is recommended.
Pages:43-47
How to cite this article:
Murja Nakano Rafindadi, Abdulhamid Ahmed, Mohammed Suleiman, Balogun Joshua Babalola, Jelani Ismaila "Prevalence and knowledge of childhood diarrhoea among mothers in Katsina state, Nigeria". International Journal of Biology Research, Vol 10, Issue 1, 2025, Pages 43-47
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