Abstract

KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIORAL PRACTICE OF MOTHERS ABOUT DIARRHEA IN HAIL REGION, SAUDI ARABIA

Bashayer Aqeel Alshammari*, Prof. Dr. Safia Moussa, Asma Wadi Zaid
Alshammari, Sarah Jemal Al-Qahtani, Fatin Salem Almaashi, Rawan Fulayyih Alrashedi and Ihab Badran Rakha

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge, and behavioral practices aboutdiarrhea among Hail mothers, Hail region, Saudi Arabia.Methodology: It is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on1000 participants. Data was collected by questionnaires and analyzedby percentages. Results: Hail mothers have low level of knowledgeabout diarrhea including its causes, clinical pictures, and treatmentmeasures. Unfortunately, they are lacking the necessary preventivebehavior diarrheal disease as well. In the current work, it was noticedthat knowledge and behavioral practice of the mothers is improveaccording to age, education and occupation of the mothers. The moreage and the more education, the more improvement of awareness about diarrhea.Conclusion: The current study proved that Hail mothers have low level of knowledge as wellas they are lacking the necessary preventive behavior about diarrheal disease. However, mostof the preventive behaviors that are applied could be explained by the economic, and culturalhabits in the region. Recommendations: An appropriate health education program has to beadopted so as to educate people in groups like in schools, hospitals and other work areasabout diarrhea.

Keywords: Diarrhea, mothers, child, knowledge, behavioral practices.