Community perception regarding diarrhoea management practices in a tribal predominant aspirational district of Odisha

CONTEXT: Childhood diarrhea is still a major problem in developing countries, and the condition is worse in tribal areas. AIMS: The study aims to assess the community perception related to diarrhea management in an aspirational district of Odisha, India. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A mixed-method study was conducted in Kandhamal, an aspirational district of Odisha, Eastern India, from June to October 2018. An in-depth interview was conducted among community health workers, and a cross-sectional survey was done for the household interview. The data were collected in a mobile-based application, Epicollect5, and in-depth interviews were recorded digitally. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data were analyzed in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Categorical variables are presented in proportions. Force-field analysis was conducted to assess the driving and restraining forces of diarrhea. Content analysis was done for the digitally recorded data. RESULTS: Nine out of ten people were aware of the benefit of breastfeeding during diarrheal episodes in children aged under 5 years, and <50% were aware of zinc benefit. Poor sanitation, lack of safe water, poor hygiene practices, socioeconomic status, and illiteracy are the major challenges in diarrheal control in the tribal area. CONCLUSIONS: Improving the demand by creating community awareness regarding management of diarrhea, availability of essential drugs (ORS and zinc) at the community level, and capacity building of community health workers for management of diarrhea can reduce diarrhea-related morbidity and mortality in tribal areas of India. Handwashing, hygiene practices, and availability of safe water need to be promoted in the tribal region. In the long term, the socioeconomic determinants have to be addressed.