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Nepal (2008): Zinc TRaC Survey

This zinc-used focused household survey was conducted in July-October 2008 with a total of 3550 respondents in POUZN program districts in order to provide quantifiable data to assist program managers to monitor and evaluate the POUZN program in Nepal. The study provided guidance for the development of an evidence-based, strategic, cost-effective behavior change intervention focused on increasing the use of zinc along with ORS (oral rehydration salts) for the treatment of diarrhea in children five years of age and under.

The survey found the 6.9% of the children in the  sampled households had diarrhea in last two weeks, 9.7% children had diarrhea in last one month and 1.1% had diarrhea with blood. About half of the respondents had heard about zinc for the treatment of diarrhea. Seventy-two percent of the children who had diarrhea were given ORS, 16.6% of the children received zinc and 14.6% received zinc along with ORS. The most reliable and valid behavioral determinants for use of zinc for the treatment of diarrhea were found to be: availability and outcome expectations.

The following key program recommendations are provided:

• Interventions should attempt to improve the opportunity to use zinc by increasing the availability of the product. Results show that mothers/ care-givers with a better perception of availability are more likely to use zinc for the treatment of diarrhea as compared to their counterparts.
• Interventions should attempt to increase the motivation to use zinc by addressing outcome expectations. Programmers should attempt to improve the belief that zinc is effective in the treatment of diarrhea in children.