The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #37283

Vanthuon Srey, MD and Hun Pov, MA. Reproductive and Child Health Alliance (RACHA), Street 360, House # 30, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, (855-23)213 724, Svanthuon@racha.org.kh

Child mortality is unacceptably high in Cambodia; the 2000 DHS reports a mortality rate for children under five of 124/1000. Diarrhea is a major cause of child mortality in Cambodia. Due to low levels of formal education and no health education campaigns, many mothers lack knowledge about proper home care and danger signs for children with diarrhea. ORS use remains very low rural villages in part due unavailability. The nearest source of ORS is the health center, often difficult to reach from the village and often closed after morning operating hours. RACHA and the MoH developed the Village Shopkeeper program to increase knowledge about CDD and ORS use, and to make ORS readily available in rural communities. Two active shops located at different parts of the village are recruited. Shopkeepers are trained about proper home care for children with diarrhea, danger signs, and ORS use. Village health volunteers receive the same training who then communicate these messages to mothers and inform them about which village shops stock ORS. During training, shopkeepers are directed to two pharmacies in the provincial town that stock ORS where they purchase their supply. Though not initially intended, shopkeepers have become a key source of information. IEC materials about home care, danger signs and ORS use are posted on their shops. Regular customers ask about these materials and shopkeepers explain the messages. Survey data show that this program has increased knowledge about home care, danger signs and ORS use significantly, resulting in rising sales of ORS.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Identify opportunities for expanding knowledge about proper home care for children with diarrhea and danger signs through non-traditional mechanisms
• Expand access to ORS for mothers with children with diarrhea using village resources.
• Recognize opportunities for using community institutions to augment government health systems

Keywords: Child Health, Community-Based Health Promotion

Related Web page: www.racha.org.kh

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.