Dr . Kareema A. Hussein Hawler Medical University /College of Nursing /Erbil

1. Mother’s Knowledge toward Oral Rehydration therapy who attend primary health care centers in Kirkuk city Dr. KareemaA. Hussein HawlerMedical University /College of Nursing /Erbil FakherAbobakerAhmad Ministry of Health/ Kirkuk 2009-2010 Iraq

2. Introduction • Acute diarrheal diseases are one of the leading causes of mortality in infants and young children in many developing countries. In most cases, death is caused by dehydration (WHO,2006).

3. Dehydration from diarrhea can be prevented by giving extra fluids at home, or it can be treated simply, effectively, and cheaply in all age-groups and in all but the most moderate cases giving patients by mouth an adequate glucose-electrolyte solution. This way of giving fluids to prevent or treat dehydration is called oral rehydration therapy (ORT) UNICEF/IRAQ, (1998) .

4. ORT, combined with guidance on appropriate feeding practices, is the main strategy recommended by the WHO to achieve a reduction in diarrhea related mortality and malnutrition in children, ORT can be practiced at home by mothers with some guidance, and thus is a technology highly suited to the primary health care approach (WHO,2006)

5. OBJECTIVES • Assessment of mother’s Knowledge toward oral rehydration therapy. • Identify the association between mother’s knowledge toward oral rehydration therapy and their demographic information

6. METHODOLOGY Design of the study A descriptive study were carried out from the first of December/ 2007 to the end of October / 2008. Setting of study The study was conducted in (19) PHCCs distributed through out Kirkuk city. Sample of the study Nonprobability convenience sample consisted of (600) mothers having children less than (5) years old.

7. Instrument The questionnaire format consist of two parts:- • Socio-Demographic Information Sheet content of (15) items • Mother's knowledge toward ORT content of (18) items

8. Pilot Study A pilot study was carried out for the period of 2nd May 2008 to 17th May 2008 and selected (60) mothers , the internal consistency for the scale is high at (0.80) for mothers knowledge. The results of Cronbach's coefficient alpha (α) indicated excellent scale reliability. Data Collection Data were collected through the use of the constructed questionnaire and the interview technique through the period of 2nd May 2008 to 30th July 2008.

9. *Validity and Reliability of the Questionnaire were obtained Statistical Analysis SPSS version 15 were used for proceeding of data analysis

10. Table (1) Demographic information of the mothers (N=600)

11. Continue Table (1)

12. Table (2) General information of mothers

13. Continue Table (2)

14. Continue Table (2)

15. Table (3): Mother's knowledge toward oral rehydration therapy.

16. Continue Table (3)

17. Conclusions and Recommendations • Half of the study sample have adequate knowledge about ORT . • Highly significant association between ages, occupation, levels of education and socioeconomic status of mother’s and their Knowledge toward ORT. • The study recommended developing an educational program concerning ORT for improving mothers Knowledge .

18. Provide all PHCCs with audio-visual aids concerning ORT. • Using mass media communication to disseminate knowledge, teach skills, change negative attitude and encourage the practice of better management of diarrhea.