BACKGROUND: Around the world, there are nearly 1.7 billion cases of diarrhoeal disease every year. Diarrhoeal disease is the second most common cause of death in children under five years of age. It is both preventable and treatable. Key measures to treat diarrhoea include oral rehydration therapy (ORT) with oral rehydration salts (ORS) solution. AIMS: The aim of this study is to find out the knowledge and attitudes of mothers regarding use and preparation of ORS solution in management of

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... eal in OPD attached to a teaching hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross sectional study was carried out on 354 mothers attending the OPD at SRG Hospital Jhalawar a teaching hospital in southern Rajasthan (India). Data was collected by using a semi-structured questionnaire which asked information regarding the knowledge of mothers about ORS, source of information about ORS, the role of ORS and the method of preparation of ORS in the management of diarrhoea. RESULTS: Out of 240 interviewed mothers, 140 were sufficiently educated. Most of these belonged to the lower socio economic class. Only 48 knew the correct method of ORS preparation and its use. It was also seen that 32 mothers did not know about ORS. The most common source of information was health care providers. Most of the mother knew that ORS is freely available at health centre. CONCLUSION: The knowledge regarding method of use and preparation of ORS for management of diarrhoea was found to be inadequate in this study. More measures need to be taken to improve this knowledge and make mothers aware about the preparation and use of ORS.