Mass media can help improve treatment of childhood diarrhoea

Publication Date: January 1998

Publisher: International Institute for Population Sciences; East-West Center

Author(s): K. V. Rao; Vinod K. Mishra; Robert D. Retherford

Research Area: Health

Type: Report

Coverage: India

Abstract:

An analysis of NFHS data shows poor knowledge and use of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) among Indian women despite the government's efforts to publicize this treatment for childhood diarrhea. Many children are treated with unnecessary sometimes harmful antibiotics or other drugs. Women who are regularly exposed to radio, television, or cinema are considerably more likely to know about and use ORT than are women who are not exposed to these media. The NFHS Bulletin is a series of four-page policy briefs summarizing secondary analysis of data from the 1992-93 National Family Health Survey (NFHS) in India. The NFHS collected information from nearly 90,000 Indian women on a range of demographic and health topics. Conducted under the auspices of the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the survey provides national and state-level estimates of fertility, infant and child mortality, family planning practice, maternal and child health, and the utilization of services available to mothers and children. IIPS conducted the survey in cooperation with consulting organizations and 18 population research centers throughout India. The East-West Center and a U.S.-based consulting firm, Macro International, provided technical assistance, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided financial support.