CARETAKERS KNOWLEDGE AND PREPARATION ABILITIES OF SALT-SUGAR SOLUTIONIN NORTH-EASTERN NIGERIA

Awareness and knowledge of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) and preparat ion abilities of salt-sugar solution (SSS) were investigated by means of focus group discussions and complemented by a structured questionna ire survey of mothers in rural and urban areas of north-eastern Nigeri a. ORT awareness was high with some intra-regional variations. Percept ion of ORT function was, however, grossly unrealistic, with a third to four-fifth of mothers expecting ORT to stop diarrhoea. At least one q uarter of mothers lacked adequate SSS preparation abilities and the ma terials and ingredients required for its preparation. Re-evaluation of the content and method of imparting health education messages in ORT promotion is recommended. Such messages should emphasise the function of ORT, It is also recommended that standardised cups for water, salt and sugar measurements be provided to households as a ready means of e nsuring the correct preparation of SSS in the home-based management of diarrhoea.