Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health personnel in the management of diarrhea: case of the Logone and Chari Department, Far North Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: management of diarrheal diseases is presented in the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) document, but is not standardized in adults. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of healthcare personnel with regard to the management of diarrhea.

Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among health care givers in health facilities in four (4) health districts (HDs) of Logone and Chari Department of Far North Cameroon in 2016. Consenting participants, selected exhaustively in the health facilities, responded individually to a semi-structured questionnaire administered face to face on a smartphone Open Data Kit (ODK) format. Statistical analyses of the data allowed us to highlight frequencies and proportions of variables such as the definition of diarrhea, the causes of diarrhea, diagnostic techniques and methods, and the management of these diseases.

Results: a total of 77 professionals participated in this study, of whom 56% were nurse assistants, 22% were nurses, and 5% were physicians; 78% of them knew the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of diarrhea. Twenty-two (29%) reported having IMCI and 82% of them practiced it. Seventy-seven (100%) reported they administered a rehydration solution according to the dehydration status of the first-line patient. Metronidazole (23%), amoxicillin (17%), and cotrimoxazole (14%) are the antimicrobials frequently prescribed in children less than 5 years of age.

Conclusion: health care providers in Logone and Chari Department have different opinions regarding diarrheal diseases as well as on the management of its diseases. To improve the management of diarrhea, it would therefore be important to set up a standard document for the management of its diseases while ensuring its implementation by health professionals.