Determinants of maternal use of oral rehydration solution (ORS) and visit to a medical facility for diarrhea among under-five children in Nigeria: a secondary analysis of 2013 Nigerian demographic and health survey

Background: Diarrhea is a leading cause of mortality in children under the age of five globally, especially in developing countries. In Nigeria, an estimated 150,000 children under the age of five die each year in Nigeria as a result of diarrhea. Majority of these deaths can be prevented by the prompt use of oral rehydration solution (ORS) and immediate medical attention. Nevertheless, some children do not receive prompt care which sometimes leads to premature deaths. Objective: This study examines the influence of various maternal factors on the use of ORS and visiting medical facilities during under-five diarrhea episodes. Methods: Data from the 2013 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey was used for the study, specifically data from the women’s questionnaire. The study consisted of women between the ages of 18 and 49 in Nigeria with children under the age of five who had diarrhea two weeks preceding the survey. Data were analyzed using Chi-square tests and logistic regressions to determine relationship between maternal factors and use of ORS and visit to a medical facility to under-five diarrhea episodes. Results: Bivariate analyses showed that there were statistically significant associations (p<0.05) between maternal provision of ORS and visit to a medical facility during under-five diarrhea with the following maternal characteristics: maternal education, place of residence, wealth index. The logistic regressions found that maternal education and place of residence were important determinants of diarrhea management among under-five children. Compared to mothers with no education, mothers with tertiary education or higher were found to be 2.81 times more likely to give their children ORS than those with no education (OR=2.81, 95% CI: 1.68-4.69). Similarly, Mothers who have higher education were 3.68 times more likely to take their children to a medical facility during diarrhea episode than those with no education (OR=3.68, 95% CI 2.23-6.05). Conclusion: The findings revealed that maternal educations as well as community level characteristics, such as region and region of residence are important determinants of under-five diarrhea management. Efforts to encourage maternal management of under-five diarrhea episodes should take into account community level factors that can influence maternal under-five diarrhea management practices. This would assist in reducing disparities with under-five health outcomes associated with variations in community level factors such as place of residence and region of residence.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Community Health

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2016

Author dc:creator

• Nwaozuru, Ucheoma Catherine

Contributors dc:contributor

• Iwelunmor, Juliet

• Under-five diarrhea
• maternal factors
• diarrhea management
• Oral rehydration solution (ORS) use
• visit to medical facility

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2016 Ucheoma Nwaozuru

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/90777

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/90777