Abstract

Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines characterized by sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea, (WHO, 2021). This study was carried out to assess parent’s knowledge and practice in the prevention of gastroenteritis in children less than 5 years in the Bokwai community. The objectives was to assess parent’s knowledge on gastroenteritis, to investigate parent’s practice towards gastroenteritis, and to identify the measures put in place to prevent gastroenteritis among children 0-5 years in the Bokwai community.

A qualitative and quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out at the Bokwai community  with a  sample size of 151 parents  which were  chosen using a purposive and convenient non-probability sampling technique and data was analyse using Microsoft excel 2010 and result represented using tables ,pie charts and bar charts.  All in all, the overall knowledge score in this study was 29.1% which is very low. The results obtained showed that only 44(29.1%) of the parents defined gastroenteritis rightly. Base on the practice of gastroenteritis 53(35.1%) reported to follow safe food handling at home, only a few 55(36.4%) disinfect surfaces at home regularly. Base on the measures put in place to prevent gastroenteritis 22(14.5%) reported that they didn’t give their children exclusive breastfeeding and 38(25.2%) reported to give their children mineral water, while majority 93(63%) reported that they don’t boil water from doubtful source.

The researcher recommends that health education should be organized in the community in other to increase awareness on gastroenteritis.  Parents should seek immediate medical attention when their children become ill so as to avoid complication. The Government should provide clean water and sanitation services to the community; parents should encourage hand washing with soap before eating or after visiting the toilet, and to maintain proper hygiene which will enable them to prevent gastroenteritis.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

This chapter specifically gives an introduction background of the study, problem statement, research objectives, and research questions, significantly of study, justification of study, scope of study and definition of terms.

1.1 Background of the Study

Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines characterized by sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea. Gastroenteritis has remained the major cause of death for children, especially under five years of age. Acute gastroenteritis disorder accounts for a large proportion (18%) of childhood deaths, with approximately 1.8 million deaths per year, (WHO, 2021). UNICEF suspects that there are more than 700 million diarrheal episodes per year in children under 5 years of age in developing countries, like Cameroon.  In the United State, there are 1.5 million outpatient visits for acute gastroenteritis, 200,000 hospitalizations, and 300 deaths yearly, (Etibu et al, 2020).

An estimated 1,000 million episodes occur each year in children below five years, causing 5 million deaths among them annually, out of which 80% occur in the first two years of life, (Delgado et al 2020). In sub-Saharan Africa the deaths from Gastroenteritis are majorly due to rotavirus disease, an estimated 453,000 children are affected with 145,000–300,000 of these dying in sub-Saharan Africa. In children acquiring Gastroenteritis, over 65% of their mothers do not know how to care for them at home, Observation revealed that some mothers prepare ORS and sugar-salt solution (SSS) incorrectly.

There was no evidence of any published study about Gastroenteritis available in Bokwai community, however, the researcher as a resident of this area has observed poor sanitation and unprotected water systems are challenged with fecal oral infections due to poor waste disposal, unprotected wells that are highly susceptible to contamination and there is a shortage of latrines in Bokwai community because most “landlords” prefer building semi-permanent houses without well-finished latrines due to lack of space and high demand for accommodation. In view of all these, there is a need to assess parents’ knowledge on Gastroenteritis among children because they dominantly influence their practices in the prevention of gastroenteritis.

If this is not addressed more incidences of Gastroenteritis will be seen in vulnerable children thus affecting the country’s development as a result of failure to achieve SDG. Therefore, this study assessing parent`s knowledge, and practices in the prevention of Gastroenteritis among Children Aged Under Five Years in the Bokwai community. The signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis can include; nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and cramping, mild fever and chills, loss of appetite, headache and muscle aches, tiredness and general body weakness, incontinence (loss of control over bowel motions), and poor feeding in infants, (Patel et al.,2018).

The viral gastroenteritis was more common than bacterial gastroenteritis, with rotavirus being the leading cause, particularly in children under five years old. The study highlighted the importance of rotavirus vaccination programs in reducing the burden of gastroenteritis worldwide. (Scallan et al., 2011) investigated the sources and transmission routes of foodborne gastroenteritis in the United States. They found that norovirus was the leading cause, often transmitted through contaminated food or water.

This study emphasized the need for improved food safety practices to prevent the spread of gastroenteritis. In addition to epidemiological studies, clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatments for gastroenteritis. For instance, a randomized controlled trial by (Gentsch et al., 2006) assessed the efficacy of a live attenuated rotavirus vaccine in preventing severe gastroenteritis in infants. The results showed a significant reduction in rotavirus-related hospitalizations, highlighting the potential impact of vaccination in preventing severe cases of gastroenteritis.

Overall, empirical research on gastroenteritis has provided valuable insights into its prevalence, causes, transmission routes, and potential prevention strategies. This knowledge has informed public health measures, including vaccination programs, improved hygiene practices, and food safety regulations, with the aim of reducing the incidence and impact of gastroenteritis on individuals and communities.

Diarrhea is a major contributor to deaths of children under 5 years of age globally being responsible for approximately 9% of the 6.3 million deaths of children aged less than 5 years that occurred in 2013, (Qazi et Al, 2015). Most of these deaths occur disproportionately in developing countries, such as Nigeria, where in 2016, 10.1% of the under-5 year’s deaths that occurred were caused by diarrhea, (UNICEF, 2018). #

In Cameroon, diarrheal disease is ranked third as a cause of mortality in young children, accounting for about 14 400 deaths per year. (WHO, 2012). World-wide, children whose age is less than 5 years’ experience, on average, 3.2 episodes of diarrhea every year and consequently 1.87 million children will die from dehydration associated with diarrheal disease, particularly in the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America (WHO, 2013)

Florence Nightingale stands out as a pioneer in the identification of the influence of environmental factors in the health-disease process with the formulation of the Environmental Theory, described in 1859. According to the Nightingale, in order to be healthy, the home must provide minimal conditions, such as: pure air, efficient sewerage system, hygiene and lighting.

Home insalubrities would be proportional to the degree of deficiency of these factors (Lusodidacta, 2006). .Hence, the place where families and children live may evidence determining situations of vulnerability to the health-disease process, both for the children and the families, (Pedroso, 2010).

Risk factors were found to be associated with food poisoning cases. Attending a banquet has also been associated with outbreak of gastroenteritis, (Siddiqui and Bhutto, 2006). Decreasing gastric acidity is a risk factor for infectious diarrhea related illnesses because gastric acid is capable of killing ingested bacteria, (Leonard and Marshall 2007). Household transmission is a known risk factor for gastroenteritis, (Leader and Sinclair 2009).

1.2 Problem Statement

Gastroenteritis account for 10.4% of emergency hospital admissions for conditions where admission could have been prevented by earlier interventions (The King’s Fund 2012). According to WHO 2021, gastroenteritis remains a common childhood illness internationally. In Cameroon, around 20% of the total population present with symptoms of infectious intestinal disease each year (Health Promotion Agency, 2010).

In children acquiring gastroenteritis, over 65% of their parents do not know how to care for them at home, Observation revealed that some mothers prepare ORS and sugar-salt solution (SSS) incorrectly. However, the researcher a resident of Bokwai observed poor sanitation and unprotected water systems, challenged with fecal oral infections due to poor waste disposal, unprotected wells that are highly susceptible to contamination and there is a shortage of latrines in Bokwai community because most “landlords” prefer building semi-permanent houses without well-finished latrines due to lack of space and high demand for accommodation.

If this is not addressed more incidences of gastroenteritis will be seen in vulnerable children thus affecting the lining of the stomach and the intestines which will lead to diarrhea and vomiting thereby causing dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition, weakness and fatigue, impact on quality of life, and complications such as kidney problems, sepsis or metabolic acidosis especially in vulnerable population. It so therefore prompted the research to carry out a research on the topic titled “Assessment of parent’s knowledge, and practice in the prevention of gastroenteritis in children aged less than 5 year in Bokwai community”.

1.3 General objective

1.3.1 Main Objective

To assess parent’s knowledge, and practice in the prevention of gastroenteritis amongst children 0-5 years in Bokwai community

1.3.2  Specific objectives

1. To assess parent’s knowledge of gastroenteritis amongst children 0-5 years in Bokwai community
2. To investigate parent’s practice towards gastroenteritis in children 0-5 years in Bokwai community
3. To identify the measures put in place to prevent gastroenteritis among children 0-5 years in the Bokwai community

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