Mothers’ knowledge, attitude and practice towards management and prevention of diarrhoea among children under five: A descriptive study at the Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Assembly of Ghana

Diarrhoea continues to be one of the leading causes of death among children under five in Ghana preceded by malaria and pneumonia. We aimed to assess mothers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding the prevention and management of diarrhoea in children under five years of age in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality, Ghana. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, utilizing a convenience sampling technique to select 116 mothers attending health facilities in the municipality. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The study found that majority of the mothers were aged 24–29 years (41%). Over 52% of them demonstrated good knowledge of diarrhoea. Approximately 45% identified contaminated food and water as the main cause of diarrhoea, with 26% recognizing dehydration as a major complication. Regarding practices, 94% restricted food intake during diarrhoea episodes, with 50% discontinuing breastfeeding. Additionally, 57% self-medicated with antibiotics for non-bloody diarrhoea. While mothers exhibited good knowledge of diarrhoea, negative attitudes and suboptimal practices were prevalent, particularly concerning breastfeeding and appropriate treatment. Health promotion programs should focus on enhancing attitudes and practices, emphasizing the importance of continued breastfeeding and appropriate medical treatment during diarrhoea episodes.