Awareness and Utilisation of Low Osmolarity ORS and Zinc Supplements in the Management of Childhood Diarrhoea among Mothers in Nigeria

Diarrheal disease is a common clinical illness and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children in developing countries. This study determined the awareness and utilisation of low osmolarity oral rehydration salts (ORS) and zinc supplements in the management of childhood diarrhoea among mothers of under-five children in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area (LGA), Lagos State, Nigeria. This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey. It employed a multi-stage sampling technique to select 336 mothers of under-five children. Data was collected using a pretested, semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Out of the 35(10.4%) respondents who were aware of low osmolarity ORS, only 8 (22.9%) had ever utilised it; of the 179 (53.3%) respondents aware of zinc supplements, only 151 (84.4%) had ever utilised it. While respondent’s age (p=0.001) and ethnicity (p=0.044) showed significant association with the awareness of low osmolarity ORS; age (p=0.001) and marital status (p=0.003) with awareness of zinc supplements; and age (p=0.001) with utilisation of zinc supplements. Compared to zinc supplements, awareness and utilisation of low osmolarity ORS was very poor among the mothers. Health education about this should be intensified among them in order to promote their utilisation and thus help to bridge the gap between policy change and effectiveness.