Determinants of the Use of Oral Rehydration Solution by Children During Diarrheal Episode

Oral rehydration is strongly recommended for the management of childhood diarrhea. To assess factors linked to Oral Rehydration Solution usage, data for the current study were collected from a purposive sample of 322 children younger than 5 years, using an indigenously developed questionnaire. Results showed 60% oral rehydration coverage that was significantly associated with maternal characteristics: age, literacy, and employment status but not with child's gender, birth order, or parent income level. Oral Rehydration Solution and sweetened beverages consumption were negatively correlated. Promotion of oral rehydration remains an area in urgent need to target interventions for reducing the social and economic burdens of childhood diarrhea.