Theory-based formative research on oral rehydration salts and zinc use in Lusaka, Zambia
Abstract Background A theoretically grounded formative research study was carried out to investigate behaviour related to the use of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and zinc tablets. The purpose was to inform the design of the behaviour change component of the Programme for Awareness and Elimination of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2016-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-2984-2 |
| _version_ | 1811204774096273408 |
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| author | Katie Greenland Jenala Chipungu Roma Chilengi Valerie Curtis |
| author_facet | Katie Greenland Jenala Chipungu Roma Chilengi Valerie Curtis |
| author_sort | Katie Greenland |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background A theoretically grounded formative research study was carried out to investigate behaviour related to the use of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and zinc tablets. The purpose was to inform the design of the behaviour change component of the Programme for Awareness and Elimination of Diarrhoea in Lusaka Province, Zambia, which aims to reduce childhood morbidity and mortality from diarrhoeal disease. Methods Fourteen behaviour trials were conducted among caregivers of children under-five with diarrhoea. Caregivers were recruited from two clinics situated in rural and peri-urban Lusaka. Trials took ten days and data were captured using video, observation and repeated interviews. Additional data were collected through focus group discussions with mothers, observations in clinics and pharmacies and interviews with clinic and pharmacy staff. Findings were organised according to categories of behavioural determinants from Evo-Eco theory. Results Participants were all familiar with ORS and most knew its purpose. ORS use was motivated by symptoms of dehydration, rather than the start of a diarrhoea episode, and was stopped when the child had visibly recovered energy. Only four of 14 behaviour trial participants were observed to correctly prepare ORS. Errors were mainly associated with measurement, resulting in a solution that was too concentrated. ORS was not observed to be given to children at clinics. Although zinc was unknown in this population, it was positively received by mothers keen to learn whether zinc would work better than alternative treatments to stop diarrhoea. Conclusions ORS was sub-optimally prepared and used at home. It was not used while waiting to be seen at a clinic. In homes, the behaviour change intervention should promote early and continued use of correctly prepared ORS. In the longer-term, these behaviours may best be encouraged by changing the product design or sachet size. Despite its unfamiliarity, this population was well disposed to the use of zinc as a treatment for diarrhoea; when zinc is new to a population, promoting zinc as a solution to stopping diarrhoea, which mothers seek, may drive initial trial. Ensuring the availability of zinc in public clinics and private pharmacies prior to commencement of any promotion activities is crucial. |
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-210d337856ed4e7c80b6b97840aeefc1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T03:19:25Z |
| publishDate | 2016-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-210d337856ed4e7c80b6b97840aeefc12022-12-22T03:49:57ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582016-04-0116111410.1186/s12889-016-2984-2Theory-based formative research on oral rehydration salts and zinc use in Lusaka, ZambiaKatie Greenland0Jenala Chipungu1Roma Chilengi2Valerie Curtis3Department of Disease Control, Faculty for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineCentre for Infectious Disease Research in ZambiaCentre for Infectious Disease Research in ZambiaDepartment of Disease Control, Faculty for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineAbstract Background A theoretically grounded formative research study was carried out to investigate behaviour related to the use of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and zinc tablets. The purpose was to inform the design of the behaviour change component of the Programme for Awareness and Elimination of Diarrhoea in Lusaka Province, Zambia, which aims to reduce childhood morbidity and mortality from diarrhoeal disease. Methods Fourteen behaviour trials were conducted among caregivers of children under-five with diarrhoea. Caregivers were recruited from two clinics situated in rural and peri-urban Lusaka. Trials took ten days and data were captured using video, observation and repeated interviews. Additional data were collected through focus group discussions with mothers, observations in clinics and pharmacies and interviews with clinic and pharmacy staff. Findings were organised according to categories of behavioural determinants from Evo-Eco theory. Results Participants were all familiar with ORS and most knew its purpose. ORS use was motivated by symptoms of dehydration, rather than the start of a diarrhoea episode, and was stopped when the child had visibly recovered energy. Only four of 14 behaviour trial participants were observed to correctly prepare ORS. Errors were mainly associated with measurement, resulting in a solution that was too concentrated. ORS was not observed to be given to children at clinics. Although zinc was unknown in this population, it was positively received by mothers keen to learn whether zinc would work better than alternative treatments to stop diarrhoea. Conclusions ORS was sub-optimally prepared and used at home. It was not used while waiting to be seen at a clinic. In homes, the behaviour change intervention should promote early and continued use of correctly prepared ORS. In the longer-term, these behaviours may best be encouraged by changing the product design or sachet size. Despite its unfamiliarity, this population was well disposed to the use of zinc as a treatment for diarrhoea; when zinc is new to a population, promoting zinc as a solution to stopping diarrhoea, which mothers seek, may drive initial trial. Ensuring the availability of zinc in public clinics and private pharmacies prior to commencement of any promotion activities is crucial.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-2984-2Formative researchOral rehydrationZincDiarrhoea preventionIntervention designBehaviour centred design |
| spellingShingle | Katie Greenland Jenala Chipungu Roma Chilengi Valerie Curtis Theory-based formative research on oral rehydration salts and zinc use in Lusaka, Zambia BMC Public Health Formative research Oral rehydration Zinc Diarrhoea prevention Intervention design Behaviour centred design |
| title | Theory-based formative research on oral rehydration salts and zinc use in Lusaka, Zambia |
| title_full | Theory-based formative research on oral rehydration salts and zinc use in Lusaka, Zambia |
| title_fullStr | Theory-based formative research on oral rehydration salts and zinc use in Lusaka, Zambia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Theory-based formative research on oral rehydration salts and zinc use in Lusaka, Zambia |
| title_short | Theory-based formative research on oral rehydration salts and zinc use in Lusaka, Zambia |
| title_sort | theory based formative research on oral rehydration salts and zinc use in lusaka zambia |
| topic | Formative research Oral rehydration Zinc Diarrhoea prevention Intervention design Behaviour centred design |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-2984-2 |
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