Assessment of caregivers knowledge of diarrhoea and practice of home management of diarrhoea disease among under two children in Opialu, a rural community in Benue State, Nigeria

Background Diarrhoeal disease is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of the caregivers are important determinants of the occurrence and outcome of diarrhoeal disease. This study assessed the care givers knowledge of diarrhoea and practice of home management of diarrhoea diseases in under- two children in Opialu, a rural community in Benue State, Nigeria. Methods A descriptive cross sectional study was employed on 295 nursing mothers in Opialu Benue State, Nigeria via a systematic random sampling technique. They were interviewed using pre-tested semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaires. Data were analysed using Epi Info, version 3.3.1. Results The mean age of the respondents was 26.7 (SD ± 7.5) years. One hundred and twenty six respondents (42.7%) could define diarrhoea correctly, 201 (68.1%) identified teething as the cause of diarrhoea, while 32 (10.9%) opined germs to be the cause of diarrhoea among under two children. More than halve (61.1%) of the respondents had correct knowledge of hand washing after using the toilet, 215 (72.9%) practised several methods of home management of diarrhoea diseases and 70 (23.7%) of respondents had adequate immunization for the child’s age. Conclusion The knowledge of diarrhoea diseases amongst under two care givers in the study area was poor and they had inappropriate home management practices of the diseases, hence the caregivers in rural communities need to be educated and trained on home management of diarrhoea diseases in order to reduce the mortality and morbidity