Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Nurses in the Management of Diarrhea Among Children Under Five Years On Pediatric Wardat Kampala International University Teaching Hospital

ABSTRACT The study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses on the management of diarrhea among children under five years of age on Pediatric ward at KIU- TH. Methodology: The study design was descriptive and cross sectional in nature involving collection of information using questionnaires and enrolled 30 respondents (nurses) who were selected using a simple random sampling procedure. Results: Majority responded on the three clinical types of diarrhea,10(33%) indicated acute waterystool that lasts several hours or days, 3(10%) disclosed acutebloodydiarrhea also called dysentery and 17(57%) disclosed persistent diarrhea, which lasts 14 days or longer, 15(50%) disclosed that health units had no improved sanitation, 14(47%) agreed that there was improved sanitation and 1(3%) was not sure.28(94%) agreed that mothers are advised to use exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months 1(3%) disagreed, 1(3%) were not sure, 25(83%) agreed that nurses encourage good personal and food hygiene 3(10%) disagreed and 2(7%) were not sure. Lastly, 15(50%) agreed that nurses educate mothers and 15(50%) disagreed. Conclusion: The practice of nurses on the management of diarrhea among children under five years of age on Pediatric ward at KIU – TH indicated that improved sanitation like hand washing with soap, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, good personal and food hygiene reduce the occurrence of diarrhea, and educating mothers as they received health tips to control diarrhea diseases.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT...................................................................................................................................................i

COPYRIGHT................................................................................................................................................ii

AUTHORIZATION.................................................................................................................................... iii

DECLARATION......................................................................................................................................... iv

DEDICATION.............................................................................................................................................. v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ......................................................................................................................... vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS.......................................................................................................................... vii

LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................................... x

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................................... xi

LIST OF OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS........................................................................................... xii

CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND OF STUDY ...............................................................................1

1.2 Statement of the problem......................................................................................................................3

1.3 Purpose of the study ..............................................................................................................................4

1.4 Specific objectives.................................................................................................................................4

1.5 Research Questions ...............................................................................................................................5

1.6 Justification.............................................................................................................................................5

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW.....................................................................................6

2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................6

2.2 Knowledge of nurses on the management of diarrhea among children under five years of age.6

2.3 Attitude of nurses on the management of diarrhea among children under five years of age ......7

2.4 Practice of nurses on the management of diarrhea among children under five years of age.......9

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ..........................................................................................12

viii

3.1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................12

3.2 Study design .........................................................................................................................................12

3.3 Study setting .........................................................................................................................................12

3.4 Study population ..................................................................................................................................12

3.4.1 Sample size determination...............................................................................................................13

3.4.2 Sampling procedure .........................................................................................................................13

3.4.3 Inclusion criteria ...............................................................................................................................13

3.5 Definition of variables.........................................................................................................................14

3.5.1 Dependent variable...........................................................................................................................14

3.5.2 Independent variable ........................................................................................................................14

3.6 Research instruments...........................................................................................................................14

3.7 Data collection procedures.................................................................................................................14

3.7.1 Data management .............................................................................................................................14

3.7.2 Data Analysis....................................................................................................................................15

3.8 Ethical considerations .........................................................................................................................15

3.9 Limitations of the study ......................................................................................................................15

3.10 Dissemination of the results.............................................................................................................15

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS................................................17

4.1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................17

4.2 Socio-demographic characteristics....................................................................................................17

4.3 Attitude of nurses on the management of diarrhea in children below five years of age on

Pediatric ward at KIU-TH.........................................................................................................................20

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4.4. Practice of nurses on the management of diarrhea in children below five years of age on

Pediatric ward at KIU – TH......................................................................................................................21

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS...............23

5.1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................23

5.2 Discussion of study findings..............................................................................................................23

5.2.1 Socio-demographic characteristics.................................................................................................23

5.2.2 Knowledge of nurses on the management of diarrhea in children below five years of age on

Peadiatric ward at KIU - TH.....................................................................................................................23

5.2.3 Attitude of nurses on the management of diarrhea in children below five years of age on

Paediatric ward at KIU-TH.......................................................................................................................25

5.2.4 Practice of nurses on the management of diarrhea in children below five years of age on

Peadiatric ward at KIU - TH.....................................................................................................................25

5.3 Recommendations................................................................................................................................27

5.4 Suggestions for further studies...........................................................................................................28

REFERENCES .........................................................................................................................................29

APPENDICES...........................................................................................................................................31

Appendix I: Informed consent form ........................................................................................................31

AppendixII : Questionnaire.......................................................................................................................32

Appendix III: Introductory letter..............................................................................................................36

Appendix IV: Map of Uganda showing district of Bushenyi...............................................................37

Appendix V: Map of study district (Bushenyi) showing location of KIU - TH ................................38