Maternal Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in the Prevention and Management of Childhood Diarrhoea in a Semi-Urban Setting in Cameroon

Maternal Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in the Prevention and Management of Childhood Diarrhoea in a Semi-Urban Setting in Cameroon | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Maternal Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in the Prevention and Management of Childhood Diarrhoea in a Semi-Urban Setting in Cameroon Shu Claudia Sirri, Loveline Lum Niba, Mary Bi Suh Atanga This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8767701/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 9 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background: Diarrhoeal diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years in sub-Saharan Africa. Limited knowledge and inappropriate practices by caregivers contribute significantly to the persistence of diarrhoea-related morbidity and mortality. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of mothers regarding the prevention and management of diarrhoeal diseases in children under five years in Ndop Health District, Cameroon. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional mix study was conducted among 507 mothers of children under five years. Data were collected using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and thematic analysis were performed to assess KAP and their associations with sociodemographic factors. Results: mean age was 29.9 ± 8.6 years; most (64.7%) were aged 21–35 years, and 10.8% were adolescents (≤ 20 years). The majority (61.9%) had their first childbirth by 20 years. 45.2% primary education, and 86% earned < 45,000 CFA/month. only 20.1% had adequate overall knowledge, 32% had average knowledge, and 46.9% had inadequate knowledge. Significant associations were observed between mothers’ knowledge levels and education (χ² = 9.33, p = 0.009), residence (χ² = 11.04, p < 0.001), and income (χ² = 15.00, p < 0.001). Despite fairly good knowledge, poor practices persisted—61.7% practiced open stool disposal, 65.5% bought roadside food, and only 41.6% consistently washed hands with soap. About 32.3% used oral rehydration solution (ORS) and zinc during diarrhoea episodes, while 24.1% combined them with anti-diarrhoeal drugs, and 15.0% used traditional herbs. Care-seeking was mainly from public facilities (50.9%) due to proximity and affordability, though high treatment cost (61.7%) was a major barrier. Focus group discussions revealed persisting misconceptions (e.g., diarrhoea as a normal sign of teething), reliance on herbal remedies, and delayed health-seeking until severe symptoms occurred. Preventive practices such as handwashing, exclusive breastfeeding, and vaccination were inconsistently applied. While ORS was widely known, misuse and reliance on home remedies, traditional herbs, and inappropriate antibiotics were common. Overall, gaps between knowledge and practice persist, highlighting the need for targeted health education to correct misconceptions and promote timely, evidence-based diarrhoea management. Conclusion: There are substantial knowledge gaps and poor hygiene practices among mothers in Ndop Health District. Interventions should focus on health education, behavior change communication, and improving access to water, sanitation, and child health services, especially targeting rural and low-education mothers. Diarrhoea Knowledge Attitude Practices Under-five children Cameroon Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 04 May, 2026 Reviews received at journal 01 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 01 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 01 Apr, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 31 Mar, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 31 Mar, 2026 Editor invited by journal 09 Mar, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 05 Mar, 2026 First submitted to journal 05 Mar, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8767701","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":616208203,"identity":"7624cda1-afa0-4602-9cae-23da378b9ae6","order_by":0,"name":"Shu Claudia Sirri","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA+UlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACCSB+wMDA2AakDwC5cgwMPERoSUDSYky8lgYoP7GBkBb52T2GHxJqDsv2sR9/eLhyj0X6huNnDz5gqLGJxqXF4M4ZY4mEY4eN23hyDA6eeSaRu+FMXrIBw7G03AZcWiRyzBgS2A4ntjHkMBxsOADUciDHTIKx4TBOLfIzQFr+AbXwP38A0pJucP4Nfi0MN4BaEtuAWiQSDEBaEgxuELDF4EZasURiX7pxm8QbsBbDmTfeGBsk4PGL/IzkjR8+fLOWnd+f/vhjw4E6eb7zOYYPPtTY4HYYBlA4wACOKRKAPPGmj4JRMApGwQgBAOgXYbv8hn6BAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"The University of Bamenda","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Shu","middleName":"Claudia","lastName":"Sirri","suffix":""},{"id":616208204,"identity":"78008aaa-c8c2-426c-a37a-1c99c8b13c21","order_by":1,"name":"Loveline Lum Niba","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"The University of Bamenda","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Loveline","middleName":"Lum","lastName":"Niba","suffix":""},{"id":616208205,"identity":"f37413fb-4e75-4329-ac98-d6183bf0182d","order_by":2,"name":"Mary Bi Suh Atanga","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"The University of Bamenda","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mary","middleName":"Bi Suh","lastName":"Atanga","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-02-02 17:23:24","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8767701/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8767701/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":106402332,"identity":"59b5ac31-eb52-4bfa-82ae-ae19a6214562","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-08 09:11:46","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":493977,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"MANUSC1.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8767701/v1_covered_e5316162-eafd-4afd-9a7e-80927ea64e63.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Maternal Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in the Prevention and Management of Childhood Diarrhoea in a Semi-Urban Setting in Cameroon","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-public-health","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Public Health](https://link.springer.com/journal/12982)","snPcode":"12982","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/12982/3","title":"Discover Public Health","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Diarrhoea, Knowledge, Attitude, Practices, Under-five children, Cameroon","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8767701/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8767701/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBackground:\u003c/strong\u003e Diarrhoeal diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years in sub-Saharan Africa. Limited knowledge and inappropriate practices by caregivers contribute significantly to the persistence of diarrhoea-related morbidity and mortality. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of mothers regarding the prevention and management of diarrhoeal diseases in children under five years in Ndop Health District, Cameroon.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethods:\u003c/strong\u003e A community-based cross-sectional mix study was conducted among 507 mothers of children under five years. Data were collected using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and thematic analysis were performed to assess KAP and their associations with sociodemographic factors.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults:\u003c/strong\u003e mean age was 29.9 ± 8.6 years; most (64.7%) were aged 21–35 years, and 10.8% were adolescents (≤ 20 years). The majority (61.9%) had their first childbirth by 20 years. 45.2% primary education, and 86% earned \u0026lt; 45,000 CFA/month. only 20.1% had adequate overall knowledge, 32% had average knowledge, and 46.9% had inadequate knowledge. Significant associations were observed between mothers’ knowledge levels and education (χ² = 9.33, p = 0.009), residence (χ² = 11.04, p \u0026lt; 0.001), and income (χ² = 15.00, p \u0026lt; 0.001). Despite fairly good knowledge, poor practices persisted—61.7% practiced open stool disposal, 65.5% bought roadside food, and only 41.6% consistently washed hands with soap. About 32.3% used oral rehydration solution (ORS) and zinc during diarrhoea episodes, while 24.1% combined them with anti-diarrhoeal drugs, and 15.0% used traditional herbs. Care-seeking was mainly from public facilities (50.9%) due to proximity and affordability, though high treatment cost (61.7%) was a major barrier. Focus group discussions revealed persisting misconceptions (e.g., diarrhoea as a normal sign of teething), reliance on herbal remedies, and delayed health-seeking until severe symptoms occurred. Preventive practices such as handwashing, exclusive breastfeeding, and vaccination were inconsistently applied. While ORS was widely known, misuse and reliance on home remedies, traditional herbs, and inappropriate antibiotics were common. Overall, gaps between knowledge and practice persist, highlighting the need for targeted health education to correct misconceptions and promote timely, evidence-based diarrhoea management.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusion:\u003c/strong\u003e There are substantial knowledge gaps and poor hygiene practices among mothers in Ndop Health District. Interventions should focus on health education, behavior change communication, and improving access to water, sanitation, and child health services, especially targeting rural and low-education mothers.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Maternal Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in the Prevention and Management of Childhood Diarrhoea in a Semi-Urban Setting in Cameroon","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-04-03 14:35:12","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8767701/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"261359392107047106284866010077265776161","date":"2026-05-04T10:11:57+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-01T23:36:02+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"114065905963386688476926881341186921023","date":"2026-04-01T23:28:06+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"22859128624635565202731291720257392367","date":"2026-04-01T06:03:56+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-03-31T12:57:22+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-03-31T12:55:41+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2026-03-09T16:44:34+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-03-05T16:38:27+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Discover Public Health","date":"2026-03-05T09:58:50+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-public-health","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Public Health](https://link.springer.com/journal/12982)","snPcode":"12982","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/12982/3","title":"Discover Public Health","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"cf40ab93-dd84-4a25-a591-00d1080a8aec","owner":[],"postedDate":"April 3rd, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"261359392107047106284866010077265776161","date":"2026-05-04T10:11:57+00:00","index":52,"fulltext":""}],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-04-03T14:35:12+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-04-03 14:35:12","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8767701","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8767701","identity":"rs-8767701","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}