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[Infantile diarrhea: knowledge and attitudes of mothers at a primary care center].

OBJECTIVE
To study the knowledge and attitudes of mothers at a health centre to babies' diarrhoea.


DESIGN
A crossover, observational and prospective study.


SETTING
Paediatrics clinic at a health centre in the city of Valencia.


PARTICIPANTS
142 mothers who attended the clinic of their own accord.


MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
The mothers themselves filled out a questionnaire on what diarrhoea was, its causes, hygiene measures to prevent it and their response when it appeared. 80.3% accurately defined diarrhoea. 94.4% recognised that micro-organisms were the cause. All mothers of unweaned babies not being breast-fed sterilised the feeding bottle adequately and had a proper water-supply. 89.4% said they washed correctly both hands and food before handling food. Although 89.4% knew they should give more liquid to their babies during diarrhoea, only 24.6% used an adequate oral rehydrating solution and 24.2% said they made their babies fast for long periods. Most said they would consult the doctor if their baby had diarrhoea (79.6%) and would go back to the doctor if they noticed complications (96.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
Mothers attending a health centre in Valencia had a good attitude to diarrhoea prevention. They often committed errors in oral rehydration and feeding of a baby with diarrhoea, which might cause problems. However their frequent attendance at the doctor's may help avoid these problems.