FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE RECURRENCY OF DIARRHEAL DISEASES AMONG THE UNDER FIVES ADMITTED AT PEDIATRIC WARD OF MASINDI GENERAL HOSPITAL. A CROSS-SECTIONAL DESCRIPTIVE STUDY.

Abstract

Background.
The study aimed to determine the individual factors, the health center factors, and the community factors affecting the recurrence of diarrheal diseases among the under-fives admitted at the pediatric ward of Masindi General Hospital.
Methodology.
A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. Quantitative methods of data collection were applied. The questionnaire method was used to collect data from the caretakers of the under-fives.
Results.
The study found out that 30 (38%) of the respondents used a latrine/ toilet for ease themselves, 28(35%) of the respondents used a neighbor’s latrine/ toilet or anywhere else and only 22(27%) respondents did not have a latrine/ toilet to ease themselves. 38(48%) Of the respondents preferred herbal medicines due to being cheap and readily available, 20(25%) of the respondents never used herbal medicine, 12(15%) of the respondents were dissatisfied with conventional medicine and only 10(12%) respondents preferred herbal medicine because it was family/ cultural tradition.
Conclusion.
The study established that the recurrence of diarrheal diseases was mainly due to an interplay between the individual, health center, and community factors such as lack of a toilet/ latrine, poor cleaning of the latrines, poor hand washing behavior and poor knowledge about the recurrence of diarrheal diseases. Inadequate supplies to health centers and inadequate health manpower to provide health services in health centers also contributed to the recurrence of diarrheal diseases among other factors.
Recommendation.
Household members should be taught by trained health personnel about the importance of hand-washing after the use of the latrine, before preparation, and before serving food. More health education seminars should also be held to equip household members with more knowledge. These, among others, were the recommendations of the study.