Page 64 - GS_Journal_2014

Urdaneta City University

new and enlightened public policies and practices, which are programmatically responsible and
fiscally sound. (15) It is also recommended to sustain the provisions along their basic needs in
terms of rest, sleep, relaxation and elimination. (16) Significant others should also uphold the
elder’s protection in the group. (17) The government and other concerned personnel must keep
on implementing laws for the elders in terms of benefits, discounts

AWARENESS AND PRACTICES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE
GASTROENTERITIS: BASIS FOR AN INTERVENTION PROGRAM
CRISTINA C. CARIAGA

This study assessed the level of awareness and practices in the management of acute
gastroenteritis (AGE) in the municipality of Asingan Pangasinan. It particularly focused on
awareness and practices relative to the signs and symptoms, causes, transmission, treatment,
and prevention of gastroenteritis. It looked into the profile of the parents in terms of age, civil
status, highest educational attainment, occupation, and number of children and the patients’
profile on age, sex, civil status, highest educational attainment, and year diagnosed with Acute
Gastroenteritis.
The problems encountered in the management of acute gastroenteritis were likewise
identified. Based on the findings of the study, an intervention program was formulated to
improve the levels of awareness and practices of the respondents in the management of acute
gastroenteritis. The study found out that majority of the parents are married, aged between
31-35 years old, high school graduates, and unemployed with three children; while the patients
are aged 15-20 years old, female, single, still studying, and diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis
this current year. The parents are moderately aware on the signs and symptoms, causes,
transmission, treatment, and prevention of acute gastroenteritis, manifested high awareness
on the signs and symptoms; moderate awareness on the causes, transmission, treatment, and
transmission; yet slightly aware on the prevention of acute gastroenteritis. The parents “slightly
practice” the practices along signs and symptoms, treatment, and prevention; and moderately
practice along causes and transmission. The patients moderately practiced the practices on signs
and symptoms, causes, and transmission; and slightly practiced the practices along treatment
and prevention. Both the parents and patients encountered moderately serious problems in
the management of acute gastroenteritis which is supported by the overall weighted mean of
2.94.An intervention program was developed to improve the practices of the respondents in the
management of acute gastroenteritis.
Based on the findings of the study, the researcher concluded that the parents and
patients are distributed along various profile variables; however most parents are young adult
who are less privileged in terms of education. Parents and patients acquired sensible information
or knowledge on the signs and symptoms, causes, transmission, treatment, and prevention
of acute gastroenteritis which suggests a deeper understanding on the mentioned aspects.

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