Perception of diarrhoeal diseases among mothers and mothers-to-be: implications for health education in Saudi Arabia.

The prevalent beliefs and therapeutic preferences for diarrhoea among mothers and unmarried high school girls from an urban area in Eastern Saudi Arabia were investigated. Knowledge regarding dehydration and malnutrition as a complication of diarrhoea was far from optimum in the studied groups. It was encouraging to note that a large proportion of mothers and students were not in favor of restricting food and fluids during the illness. A long list of home remedies for diarrhoea was provided by them. Two-thirds of the students opted for Oral Rehydration Therapy as the best treatment in diarrhoea whereas mothers who were in general less educated, preferred antidiarrheal liquids and injections. Channels of communication to health educate mothers and mothers-to-be are suggested.