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Mothers’ awareness and use of zinc in under-five children with diarrhoea in North-Western Nigeria


GD Gwarzo

Abstract

Background: Zinc supplementation is recommended in the treatment of diarrhoea. It reduces the severity, duration and recurrence of diarrhoea. Mothers’ knowledge and usage of zinc are important. Objectives: This study assessed mothers’ knowledge and use of zinc in children with diarrhoea.
Materials and Method: The study was descriptive cross sectional of mothers who brought their children to a tertiary health centre in Kano, Nigeria. Mothers were selected consecutively from the Outpatient Clinic. Data were collected using questionnaire, and analysed.
Results: Among the 212 mothers selected 55.7% were aware of zinc in the treatment of diarrhoea and 51.9% gave zinc to their children. Health facilities were the sources of information in 55.9% of them. Urban residency and mother’s education were associated higher rate of zinc utilization. Conclusion: Awareness and use of zing among the mothers were modest. Maternal education and awareness campaigns are needed to improve its knowledge and usage.

Keywords: Zinc, diarrhoea, children, knowledge and practice, Nigeria.


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eISSN: 0302-4660