Perceptions of diarrhoea in children under five years of age among the Luo of Bondo Division

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the perception of diarrhoea in children among the Luo of Bondo District. Fieldwork for the study was conducted between January and March 1999. The study sought to find out the people's perception of paediatric diarrhoea, what is/are considered to be the symptoms of diarrhoea and, to describe the methods used in the management of the disease. The methods used in obtaining data for the study were library research. interviews. case histories. focus group discussions and key informant interviews. A total of 60 respondents were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed through qualitative and quantitative techniques. These techniques description of the research findings and the use of percentages and frequency tables respectively. The findings indicate that the people or Bondo perceive diarrhoea to result from natural,supernatural and human causes. The people identified five categories of diarrhoea and the symptoms are category specific. Traditional medicine and practices perceived to be appropriate in the management of paediatric diarrhea are stilI widely used. The water available to the people for drinking and domestic use is drawn from stationary water bodies and not all people boil it before use. Therefore it is recommended that organizations working in the area with the objective of uplifting the people's health status should put more effort in educating people on the need to boil water for domestic use and drinking as away of prevent ion against diarrhoea.