Strategies of Communication for Promoting the Adoption of Oral Rehydration Theraphy (Ort) by Productive Women in Nigeria

Abstract

Some years back, diarrhoea was the major killer of the World's children, claiming almost 4 million lives each year. Today more than 1.5 million lives are being saved each year - 4,500 every day by administrating ORT. No other single medical breakthrough of the 20th century has the potential to prevent so many deaths over such a short period of time. Nigeria incorporated ORT into her primary Health care system since 1985. In Nigeria convincing mother to trust and practice the use of ORT has been a slow and difficult task. The major hurdles to acceptance and use ORT include:- 1. Illiteracy 2. Lack of awareness 3. Inadequate information 4. Lack of understanding, and 5. The option for other forms of diarrhoea management by mothers instead of ORT. This paper highlights some communication strategies to be used by health workers to promote the adoption of ORT by the mothers.