Factors Associated with Child Caretakers’ Behavior on Prevention of Diarrhea in Children aged 0-5 Years in Rural Areas of Champasack Province, Lao PDR
- VernacularTitle:ປັດໃຈທີ່ມີຄງາມພົວພັນກັບພືດຕິກໍາຂອງຜູ້ປົກຄອງເດັກໃນການປ້ອງກັນການເປັນພະຍາດຖອກທ້ອງໃນເດັກ 0-5 ປີ ໃນເຂດຊົນນະບົດ ແຂວງຈໍາປາສັກ, ສປປ ລາວ
- Author:
Somphathai Keobouapha
;
Vongsa Laohasirivong
- Publication Type:Journal article
- Keywords:
Diarrhea;
Caretakers’ behavior;
Prevention;
Champasack Province;
Laos.
- From:
Lao Medical Journal
2012;non(3):54-60
- CountryLao People's Democratic Republic
- Language:Lao
-
Abstract:
Rationale and Background: Diarrhea remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality among Lao
children, particularly those aged < 5 years. Child caretakers’ behaviors on the prevention of diarrhea are key
determinants affecting child morbidity and mortality. Study of factors associated with caretakers’ behavior on
diarrhea prevention is therefore needed to identify correct and appropriate solutions in the community.
Methodology: This was cross-sectional research to identify factors associated with child caretakers’ behavior on
diarrhea prevention among children aged 0 - 5 years in rural Champasack Province, Lao PDR. The study
population was caretakers of children aged 0 – 5 years who lived together in the same household (n = 280). The
study was performed between June 2010 – June 2011 using predesigned and pretested questionnaire.
Results: Eighty-one percent of respondents were females with a mean (SD) age of 32.4 (10.2) years and 50% of
them were rice farmers. Sixty-five percent of the caretakers had high level (score 24 – 30) of perceived risk of
getting diarrhea with a mean (SD) score of 24.7/30 (3.26). The mean (SD) score of disease severity perception of
the respondents was 26.03/30 (2.47) and 82.5% of them had high level of perception. Eighty percent of those
interviewed perceived benefits of following advice about diarrhea prevention behaviors at high level, about half
perceived obstacles in following advice in diarrhea prevention behaviors at high level (52.14%) and 60.71% had
a high level of diarrhea prevention behaviors. In a multiple linear regression analysis, factors associated with
caretakers’ behaviors on prevention of diarrhea were educational attainment (no education) (Mean diff = -0.156;
95%CI = -1.487 to -0.327; P-value < 0.001), perceived severity of diarrhea (Mean diff = 0.328; 95%CI = 0.160
to 0.361; P-value < 0.001), and perceived benefits of following advice in diarrhea prevention behaviors (Mean
diff = 0.2763; 95%CI = 0.255 to 0.500; P-value < 0.001).
Conclusion: Despite a high level of child caretakers perception of risk of getting diarrhea, disease severity, and
benefit of following advice in diarrhea prevention behavior, there remains a need to provide health education on
hygiene and sanitation to prevent diarrhea among children, aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality among
Lao children which is still high at the moment.
