Gaps in knowledge, practices, and attitudes toward childhood diarrhoea, a cross-sectional study among childbearing aged mothers

Abstract Aim Diarrhea is the third killer of under 5 children especially prevailing in developing countries. Mothers, the care givers, are responsible for protecting their children from this easily preventable and treatable disease. So, identifying gaps in maternal awareness and their determinants are key factors for tailoring and directing health education programs properly. Methods A cross-sectional study was directed among mothers attending paediatric hospitals in Mosul City. Paediatric specialists were responsible for data collection from 412 participants after taking their oral consents along 5 months period. These data involved maternal socio-demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices about childhood diarrhea. Mean levels of KAP were used as a cut-off point between good and poor KAP scores. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used for data analysis. Results The rates of improper maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices were 52.9%, 52.9%, and 48.1% respectively, this was more prominent among young, low educated, housewives, poor, and having single child mothers. These gaps involved improper knowledge about communicability and dangerous signs of diarrhea and dehydration, defective attitude toward commitment with breastfeeding, and deficient practices toward ORS preparation and storage. Conclusion A substantial proportion of mothers have deficient awareness toward childhood diarrhea. Addressing these gaps are essential for controlling such highly prevailing disease through application of community-based health educational programs.