Abstract
Personalized education of mothers whose infants are at increased risk of diarrhea was evaluated. 121 mother -infants diads of the low socio-economic stratum, 110 in the experimental group (EG) and 110 in the control group (CG), were divided into two cohorts and surveyed for 6 months during weekly home visits. Norms about rehydration, refeeding (milk, solids) and hygienic practices related to the oral-fecal cycle were taught. At the begining and one month after finishing the intervention maternal behavior (questionaire) and hygienic status of the bathroom and kitchen (structured observation) were evaluated. EG mothers modified some behaviors: diluted the milk (p < 0.0001), gave a diet (p < 0.00002), used fluids and home made oral rehydration solutions (p < 0.0004); instead, CG mothers did not use diets, although fluids (no ORS) were more frequently used (p <0.04). Mother-infant hygienic index (nails, pacifier) did not change in EG while this deteriorated in CG (p<0.03). The table-and-place-for-cooking cleanliness index and that of the kitchen (floor, sink) improved in EG (p < 0.03 and <0.00005) but not in CG. Hygiene-of-the-bottle index increased in EG and tended to decrease in CG (p < 0.002 and <0.07). Hygienic index of the bathroom Increased in EG (p < 0.0001) and did not change in CG. the “total index”, which includes all previously mentioned indexes, increased in EG (p <0.00001) and decreased in CG (p < 0.02). These results suggest that it is possible to modify behaviors in these mothers and that direct actions are effective in promoting these changes.
Supported by FONDECYT 89-0922.
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Alvarez, M., Wurgaft, F., Pacheco, I. et al. BEHAVIORAL CHANGES IN MOTHERS OF INFANTS WITH HIGH RISK OF DIARRHEA. Pediatr Res 32, 740 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199212000-00040
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199212000-00040