Preparing oral hydration solution with a cup method.

Abstract

In a survey of 195 homes in four villages in the Mhala area of Gazankulu, 90% of women caring for under-5 children were able to make an oral hydration solution (OHS). Seventy-five per cent of these women indicated that they would use an OHS as first-line management for diarrhoea. Seventy-nine per cent (139) of these solutions were prepared using a cup method and 13% (23) using a litre-bottle method. A biochemically ideal sodium concentration was found in 31% (43) of solutions made using the cup method and in 17% (5) of those made using the litre method. The solutions are further analysed. The appropriateness of the cup and litre measures for home-made OHS in these circumstances is studied and discussed. The cup method is considered to have advantages because utensils and ingredients for this method are more readily available in these rural homes. Dual messages given to this community may be responsible for the apparent confusion about making OHS, and it is advocated that health education about OHS should where possible be standardised.