Abstract:
Despite continuous improvement and advancement of treatment, diarrhoeal disease is the second leading cause of death in
children under the age of five years globally and is a major cause of concern in developing countries. Research suggests that
lack of proper and timely management leads to increased mortality and morbidity. The aim of this review is to assess the
knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers/caregivers and general practitioners (GPs) toward management of diarrhoea in
children under the age of five years in developing countries. A systematic review was performed using observational evidence.
A thematic approach was used for the analysis of the data and narrative synthesis methodology to summarise the review findings.
Results suggest that oral rehydration salts solution are not considered a sufficient cure for childhood diarrhoea and, are given,
mostly with traditional medicines and unnecessary non-prescribed drugs. Health care seeking and feeding practices were also
found to be very poor. Prescribing practices among GPs were influenced by professional knowledge as well as a number of
factors, such as, fear of losing patients, loss of prestige, family demands, and external pressures like hospital work load and
pharmaceutical interests. Barriers of recommended childhood diarrhoea management were linked to lay beliefs, economic
constraints, and lack of education.