Mothers’ Performance in Feeding a Toddler with Diarrhea and its Related Factors

Aims: The role of mothers as main caregivers in toddlers with diarrhea and their familiarity with the factors associated with diarrhea is very important in managing the disease and preventing mortality. This study aimed to investigate the mothers’ performance regarding feeding a toddler with diarrhea and related factors. Instruments & Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on ۲۱۰ mothers who had toddlers with diarrhea that were selected through convenience sampling in Tehran, Iran, in ۲۰۲۱. The parental socio-demographic and toddler clinical characteristics questionnaire and Mother Performance questionnaire were used to collecting data. Data analysis was done using SPSS ۲۰ software. Findings: The mean age of the mothers and toddlers were ۳۲.۶۹±۶.۶۷ years and ۲۳.۹۷±۷.۲۴ months, respectively, and about ۵۱.۴% of toddlers were boys. The total mean scores of mothers’ performance was ۱۲۱.۹۲±۸.۳۷. There were significant differences in the mean scores of maternal performance based on the father's education level (p=۰.۰۳) and marital status (p=۰.۰۴). Furthermore, the frequent diarrhea and referral setting (p<۰.۰۰۰۱) were significantly different in the hygiene principles and common beliefs dimension. Mothers with wanted pregnancy have better performance in the breastfeeding dimension (p=۰.۰۴). Conclusion: The mothers’ performance regarding diarrhea and its dietary management is low, and less than half of them have a good level of knowledge. So it is necessary to improve and implement relevant policies to control and manage diarrhea.

Keywords:

Mothers’ performance , Toddler feeding , Diarrhea , Related factors to diarrhea