@article{Seyal_Hanif_2010, title={Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of the Mothers and Doctors Regarding Feeding,}, volume={15}, url={https://annalskemu.org/journal/index.php/annals/article/view/30}, DOI={10.21649/akemu.v15i1.30}, abstractNote={<strong>Introduction:</strong>  Since it’s a common observation that most cases of acute diarrhea are not managed according to WHO <br />guidelines. Irrational use of drugs is a major problem of present day medical practice, as well as use of ORS is underesti-<br />mated. The mothers /grand mothers reduce or stop feeding(except for breast feeding) do not know the importance of fluid <br />therapy or ORS and cannot prepare ORS properly. This study was designed to know the exact situation. <br /><strong>Objective:</strong>  To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of the mothers and doctors in acute diarrhea in children ≤ 5 years <br />of age about feeding, preparation and use of oral rehydration solution (ORS) and drugs. <br /><strong>Design:</strong>  Cross Sectional. <br /><strong>Place and duration:</strong>  ORT corner of Pediatric OPD at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore from May, 2007 to September, 2007. <br /><strong>Patients and Methods:</strong>  Nine hundred and fifty children under 5 years of age having acute diarrhea were included in the <br />study. Data was collected on a specified questionnaire by a doctor who entered the  required information after interviewing <br />the mothers/grandmothers accompanying the children. The information was collected regarding use of ORS and who <br />prescribed, or they already had knowledge that it should be given, how to prepare ORS, whether or not continued feeding and <br />used drugs during current acute diarrhea episode. The data was entered and interpreted as frequency distribution. <br /><strong>Results:</strong>  ORS was used (given) by only 464 (49.67%) of the mothers, out of which 125(27%) used it by their own know-<br />ledge (through newspaper, television, told by neighbours or previous consultation by the doctor). 400 (42.82%) mothers <br />knew about preparation of ORS. Feeding was continued by 697 (74.62%) of the mothers and 400 (42.82%) used drugs, <br />prescribed by general practitioners, medical officers of government hospitals, few by paediatrician and self during acute <br />diarrhea. <br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong>  It is concluded that ORS was given by 49.67% of the mothers, 42.8% could prepare it properly, feeding was <br />stopped/reduced/diluted by 25% of the mothers. Drugs were used in 42.82% of the cases. Diarrhea control programme needs <br />to be reinforced to improve existing practices regarding management of acute diarrhea in children ≤ 5 years of age. Inappro-<br />priate use of drugs during diarrhea should be discouraged. <br /><strong>Key Words:</strong>  ORS(oral rehydration solution), acute diarrhea, ORT( oral rehydration therapy).}, number={1}, journal={Annals of King Edward Medical University}, author={Seyal, Tallat and Hanif, Asif}, year={2010}, month={Mar.}, pages={38} }