Abstract:
In Vhembe district, diarrhoeal disease and dehydration are the leading causes of death in children under five. The researcher aimed to explore and describe caregiver’s practices of home management of diarrhoeal disease in children under five years in Vhembe district, Thulamele municipal area at the health centre and paediatric ward. Knowledge of the caregiver’s practices of home management of diarrhoeal disease in children under five years, enable the researcher to construct an action plan to address diarrhoeal diseases and contribute to reduction in mortality related to diarrhoea disease and dehydration in children under five years in Vhembe District.
The population of the study included any person who was taking care of a child under five years at home. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used. Three focus group interviews were used to collect data; two focus groups had five participants each while one focus group had eight participants. Data were analysed by using content analysis. It was found that use of remedies, traditional medication and giving of wrongly prepared oral rehydration solution were common practices to the caregivers.
