Poor utilization and wrong preparation of oral rehydration salt solution during childhood diarrhea in Ilesa, Nigeria

Background and Aim: Diarrheal deaths are largely preventable with the use of oral rehydration salt (ORS) solution. The aim of this study was to investigate the preparation and use of ORS for the treatment of childhood diarrhea in Ilesa, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The characteristics of the present diarrheal illness as well as biodata, social class, use of ORS solution, and the method of preparation were documented in 250 children with diarrhea at the Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Nigeria. Data were analyzed using the statistical program for the social sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. Results: A total of 151 (60.4%) of the children had been given ORS before the presentation. The ORS was correctly prepared in 38 (25.2%) of them, whereas hypertonic ORS solution was mostly given to the others. A significantly higher proportion (66.7%) of those from high social class had their ORS correctly prepared, compared with 16.1% of those from low social class ( P  = 0.000). The use of ORS was more prevalent among children with longer duration of diarrhea ( P  = 0.004). A significantly higher proportion of children who were still breastfeeding were given ORS, compared with those who had stopped breastfeeding ( P  = 0.007). Conclusion:  Teachings on the use and correct preparation of ORS should not be limited to diarrhea treatment units, but should rather be included in the routine health talks given to mothers at antenatal and immunization clinics.  The provision of a 1 L measure to be used for measuring water for ORS preparation should be seriously considered to combat the problem of hypertonic ORS preparations.