An action research on improving knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers in home care for acute diarrhoea in children under five years of age through a health education programme in Thien Tri Village, Vietnam

Abstract

This study deals with the issue of incorrect home care for children under five years of age in the Mekong delta, Vietnam, the highest area on morbidity and mortality due to acute diarrhoea among children. Only the treatment cost takes approximated 21 million USD per year. The lack of knowledge, practice among mothers need to be improve. The consequences of incorrect home care for children are malnutrition, increased mortality, cost and referral to secondary and tertiary care. The consequences can be controlled if home care for mothers with children suffering from diarrhoea could be improved. The factors associated with incorrect home care of mothers are also analyzed in the essay. For preparing a intervention study, a rapid assessment was conducted in Children’s hospital to explore the guidance on home care of doctors and practice of home care among mothers having children with diarrhoea. The findings are consistent with previous studies. Through the rapid assessment the KAP questionnaire of proposal study was tested. An action research study on community- based home care education by using a control group with pre and post - test evaluation was suggested as the intervention for improving knowledge, attitude and practice on home care of mothers in Thien Tri village, in the Mekong delta, Vietnam. This study will use a strategy with three components: mobilizing the support of community members, education mothers, and developing materials and training educators. The effectiveness and feasibility of this study will be evaluated after one year implementing the home care education program.