Abstract:

Malnutrition and Diarrhoeal diseases pose a significant threat to the health, well-being, and survival of under-five year old children in resource constrained world. It is estimated that (25%) out of the total mortality of under-five year old children die worldwide as a result of diarrhoea (UNICEF, 2012) and more than half of these deaths in developing world particularly in Zambia has an underlying association with malnutrition (UNICEF, 2015). The objective of this study was to assess the levels of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions towards malnutrition and diarrhoeal diseases preventive and control practices among caretakers of under-five children of Pemba District. This study used a Cross section study design. The study population was adult care-takers of children aged between 4 months to 5 years. The sample size comprised of 210 caretakers. Health Centers in Pemba District were selected conveniently; 210 households were selected using a simple random sampling technique, and respondents from each sampled household were picked purposively. Data collection was conducted using a semi-structured interview questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 24, and X2 test and Correlations were used and conclusion done at 0.05 significance level. The study revealed that majority (76.6%) of caretakers demonstrated low levels of knowledge, with 51% demonstrating poor attitudes towards control of malnutrition and diarrhoeal diseases, and some (57.1%) demonstrated fair practices, among the HBM variables, Perceived benefits towards diarrhoeal disease prevention showed a moderate correlation (Pearson’s) of 0.30 at 0.01 level (2-tailed). The poor result identified in this study reveals the reasons for the current diseases burden especially malnutrition and diarrhoeal disease trends in the district. Perceived benefits, therefore, was established to be moderately correlated and should be used to design any intervention measures aimed at correcting the situation.

Keywords: Knowledge, Attitudes, Perceptions, Practices, Diarrhoea, Malnutrition and Caretakers.

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