Village health care providers in Matlab, Bangladesh: a study of their knowledge in the management of childhood diarrhoea

Abstract

This study was conducted among village health care providers in Matlab, Bangladesh in . 1987. The objectives were to assess their knowledge of childhood diarrhoea and methods of management. All types of health care providers considered diarrhoea as a major childhood disease and opined that treatment should be initiated in case of four or more loose motions a day. Slightly more than half of the allopaths were aware of the scientific causes of diarrhoea; homeopaths and traditional healers in large proportions related diarrhocal diseases with certain types of food, and 'evil eyes'. Eighty per ccnl of the allopaths reported use of . oral rchydration solution in treating watery diarrhoea against 20% of the others. Prescription of antibiotics in treating dysentery was higher among allopaths than others. Allopaths were also less restrictive regarding continuation of breast feed ing and intake of food during diarrhoea among children