Knowledge, Attitude & Practices Regarding Diarrhea & Related Disorders

Among the poor and especially in the socio-economic backward people in developing countries, diarrhea related disorders are major killers, particularly for children. Each year there are approximately 4 billion cases of diarrhea and related disorders worldwide. It causes about 4% of all deaths and 5% of health loss to disability. Cholera and Dysentery cause severe, sometimes life threatening forms of diarrhea. The use of safe drinking water and maintaining hygiene are important preventive measures. Treatment of diarrhea related disorders is aimed at preventing the dehydration through Oral Rehydration Therapy i.e. the most important technical breakthrough in curing and preventing the disease. Awareness and behavioral change with regard to personal hygiene and sanitation can prevent these. The present study assesses the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding diarrhea related disorders in the socio-economic backward classes living in the slum areas of Ganjam District in the State of Odisha, India. It also studies the impact of intervening programmes on these people to control the disorders and bring behavioral changes.