Knowledge Of Parents In Caring For Diarrhea Children In Sunggal Village, Medan Sunggal District, Medan City

Feb 27, 2025 by ADMIN 108 views

Understanding Diarrhea: A Common yet Serious Health Issue

Diarrhea is a medical condition characterized by an increase in the frequency of bowel movements, where a person experiences more than three times defecating a day, and changes in the consistency of stool becomes liquid. Although it can be considered a common problem, diarrhea remains one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality, especially in children. Therefore, it is very important for parents to understand how to care for children who have diarrhea in the right way.

Diarrhea can be caused by various factors, including viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections, as well as food poisoning and other gastrointestinal disorders. In children, diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and even life-threatening complications if left untreated. As a result, it is crucial for parents to be aware of the signs and symptoms of diarrhea, as well as the proper treatment and care methods to prevent complications.

Assessing Parental Knowledge in Sunggal Village

In the context of this research, the main focus is to assess the knowledge of parents in Sunggal Village, Medan Sunggal District, Medan City, in caring for children who experience diarrhea. This study uses a descriptive approach with the purposive sampling method, which samples are taken based on certain criteria. A total of 56 respondents were involved in this study, and the instruments used were questionnaires that were designed to measure parental knowledge about treatment, fulfillment of fluid needs, fulfillment of nutrition, prevention of irritation, and prevent infections in children suffering from diarrhea.

The questionnaires were designed to assess the parents' understanding of the following aspects:

Treatment: Parents' knowledge about the proper treatment of diarrhea, including the use of antibiotics, antacids, and other medications.
Fluid Needs: Parents' understanding of the importance of fluid intake in preventing dehydration and maintaining electrolyte balance.
Nutrition: Parents' knowledge about the proper nutrition for children with diarrhea, including the importance of breast milk, formula, and solid foods.
Prevention of Irritation: Parents' understanding of the importance of preventing irritation and infection in children with diarrhea.
Prevention of Infections: Parents' knowledge about the prevention of infections in children with diarrhea, including the use of antibiotics and other preventive measures.

Results of Data Analysis

The results of data analysis show that parental knowledge about child care with diarrhea is in a variety of categories. Of the 56 respondents, 29 people (51.8%) have sufficient knowledge, while 27 people (48.2%) are categorized as having good knowledge. This finding indicates that although most parents show a pretty good understanding, there are still some respondents who do not understand the right way in caring for children who have diarrhea.

Importance of Parental Knowledge in Diarrhea Care

It is essential to note that adequate knowledge about handling diarrhea can significantly reduce the risk of more serious complications, such as dehydration. For this reason, further efforts are needed to increase the awareness and knowledge of parents in Sunggal Village regarding the care of diarrhea children. One effective way is to hold a health education program that involves medical personnel and facilitators who are experienced in the field of child health.

By increasing parents' knowledge, it is hoped that they can be more prepared and effective in handling diarrhea in children. This will not only help reduce the morbidity and mortality rates caused by diarrhea, but also encourage parents to be more active in maintaining children's health. In the current information era, access to the right and accurate source of information is very important, and can be one of the determinants in the management of children's overall health.

Conclusion and Recommendations

In conclusion, parents' knowledge of child care suffering from diarrhea in Sunggal Village still needs to be improved. Continuing educational efforts are needed to ensure all parents have a good understanding and can take the right steps in caring for their children when facing diarrhea problems.

To achieve this goal, the following recommendations are made:

Health Education Programs: Organize regular health education programs for parents in Sunggal Village, focusing on the proper care and treatment of diarrhea in children.
Collaboration with Medical Personnel: Collaborate with medical personnel and facilitators who are experienced in the field of child health to provide accurate and up-to-date information on diarrhea care.
Access to Information: Ensure that parents have access to accurate and reliable sources of information on diarrhea care, including online resources, books, and other materials.
Continuous Monitoring: Continuously monitor the knowledge and practices of parents in Sunggal Village regarding diarrhea care, and make adjustments to the educational programs as needed.

By implementing these recommendations, it is hoped that parents in Sunggal Village will have a better understanding of how to care for children with diarrhea, and that the morbidity and mortality rates caused by diarrhea will be reduced.

Q: What is diarrhea in children?

A: Diarrhea in children is a medical condition characterized by an increase in the frequency of bowel movements, where a child experiences more than three times defecating a day, and changes in the consistency of stool becomes liquid.

Q: What are the causes of diarrhea in children?

A: Diarrhea in children can be caused by various factors, including viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections, as well as food poisoning and other gastrointestinal disorders.

Q: What are the symptoms of diarrhea in children?

A: The symptoms of diarrhea in children may include:

Increased frequency of bowel movements: More than three times defecating a day.
Changes in stool consistency: Stool becomes liquid or watery.
Abdominal cramps: Pain in the abdomen.
Vomiting: Vomiting may occur.
Fever: Fever may be present.

Q: How can I prevent diarrhea in children?

A: To prevent diarrhea in children, you can:

Breastfeed: Breastfeeding can help prevent diarrhea in infants.
Maintain good hygiene: Wash hands frequently, especially before handling food.
Avoid contaminated food and water: Avoid giving children food and water that may be contaminated.
Vaccinate: Vaccinate children against diseases that can cause diarrhea.

Q: How can I treat diarrhea in children?

A: To treat diarrhea in children, you can:

Provide plenty of fluids: Give children plenty of fluids, such as breast milk, formula, or oral rehydration solutions.
Rest: Encourage children to rest.
Avoid solid foods: Avoid giving children solid foods until the diarrhea has resolved.
Use medications: Use medications, such as antacids or anti-diarrheal medications, as directed by a healthcare provider.

Q: When should I seek medical attention for my child's diarrhea?

A: You should seek medical attention for your child's diarrhea if:

Diarrhea persists: Diarrhea persists for more than 3 days.
Vomiting is severe: Vomiting is severe and frequent.
Fever is high: Fever is high (over 104°F).
Abdominal pain is severe: Abdominal pain is severe.
Blood is present: Blood is present in the stool.

Q: What are the complications of diarrhea in children?

A: The complications of diarrhea in children may include:

Dehydration: Dehydration can occur if children do not receive enough fluids.
Electrolyte imbalance: Electrolyte imbalance can occur if children do not receive enough electrolytes.
Malnutrition: Malnutrition can occur if children do not receive enough nutrients.
Infections: Infections can occur if children are not treated properly.

Q: How can I prevent dehydration in children with diarrhea?

A: To prevent dehydration in children with diarrhea, you can:

Provide plenty of fluids: Give children plenty of fluids, such as breast milk, formula, or oral rehydration solutions.
Monitor urine output: Monitor urine output to ensure that children are producing enough urine.
Monitor stool output: Monitor stool output to ensure that children are producing enough stool.
Use medications: Use medications, such as antacids or anti-diarrheal medications, as directed by a healthcare provider.

Q: What are the long-term effects of diarrhea in children?

A: The long-term effects of diarrhea in children may include:

Malnutrition: Malnutrition can occur if children do not receive enough nutrients.
Growth retardation: Growth retardation can occur if children do not receive enough nutrients.
Increased risk of infections: Increased risk of infections can occur if children are not treated properly.
Increased risk of chronic diseases: Increased risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, can occur if children are not treated properly.