[Strengths and weaknesses of home management of diarrhea].

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to analyze mothers home practices among children with acute diarrhea.

METHODS

A cross sectional study was carried out in a group of 260 mothers of children with diarrhea. Mothers were requested to answer the "verbal biopsy" questionnaire to assess their practices concerning effective diarrhea management at home according to the World Health Organization and corresponding to the Norma Oficial Mexicana recommendations. Descriptive statistics and Chi square for differences were used.

RESULTS

Two groups of mothers' were identified: those who had consulted a physician before attending the hospital (n = 191), and those who came to the hospital as their first choice (n = 69). The first group used antibiotics, antiemetics, breast-feeding and Oral Hydration Therapy more frequently than the second group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The "verbal biopsy " instrument was useful to assess home management of children with diarrhea. This questionnaire was also useful to detect medical malpractice (unjustified prescription of antibiotics and antiemetics) as well as to identify best practices (continued breast feeding and oral hydration).