KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF CAREGIVERS TOWARDS THE PREVENTION AND HOME–BASED MANAGEMENT OF DIARRHOEAL DISEASE AMONG CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN 0-5 YEARS IN VIETNAM

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the role of caregivers’ knowledge, attitude and practices in preventing and
managing diarrhoeal disease among young children (0 to 5 years) in Vietnam.
Methods: Random sampling was used to select and interview 86 primary caregivers in Vietnam
rural and urban settings. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected.
Results: Participant preventive behaviour scores were so low that all were classified as poor or
below, with 18.8% showing extremely poor preventive behaviours, 68.2% very poor and 13% poor.
The majority of participants also scored in the extremely poor range on safe drinking water practice
(8.2%) and sanitation practice (74.3%). Notably, there were statistically significant between–group
differences based on moderating factors, including wealth and educational background.
Conclusion: The results suggested several primary intervention strategies for nurses, healthcare
providers, primary caregivers, parents, school leaders and other stakeholders, including routine
assessment of children’s nutrition, especially in relation to healthy food and safe drinking water
access; assessing family environments to identify diarrhoeal disease risk factors, including sociocultural factors and primary caregiver or parenting influences; and collaborating with school
leaders to identify contributing factors, such as food environments, school policies and student
demographics. These targeted prevention and interventions strategies respond to the specific needs
of Vietnam’s communities, families and children