The use of educational video to promote maternal self‐ efficacy in preven ting early childhood diarrhoea

Abstract

Diarrhoea is responsible for high rates of infant morbidity and mortality. It is multifactorial, manifested by socioeconomic, hygienic, and maternal factors. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of an educational video on maternal self‐efficacy for the prevention of childhood diarrhoea. This was a randomised trial conducted in the state of Ceará, Brazil. Participants were 2 groups (comparison and intervention), composed of mothers of children under 5 years of age. Group membership was allocated by cluster randomization. Outcomes were maternal self‐ efficacy measured using the Maternal Self‐efficacy Scale for Prevention of Early Childhood Diarrhoea; outcome data collectors were blinded to group allocation. Ninety participants were randomised to each group; 83 intervention group and 80 comparison group members were contained in the final analysis. Maternal self‐efficacy in preventing childhood diarrhoea increased in both groups, but average scores of the intervention group were higher at all time than those of the comparison group. The educational video had a significant effect on maternal self‐efficacy.