Oztorun, Zeynep Yilmaz2024-11-072024-11-0720212667-663Xhttps://doi.org/10.4328/ACAM.20717https://hdl.handle.net/11480/14387Aim: This study aimed to examine the effect of the sociodemographic characteristics of the parents of children hospitalized for adenovirus enteritis and child care attitudes of parents on the course of adenovirus enteritis. Material and Methods: A total of 57 patients aged <6 years who were hospitalized for adenovirus enteritis were included in the study. A questionnaire was administered to the parents to gather data on the patients' birth history, chronic diseases, and breastfeeding times, and parents' level of education and knowledge about adenovirus enteritis and dehydration. The questionnaire also included items about hygiene measures for dehydration. Kidney function tests, electrolyte values, and blood gas analysis were performed to evaluate the dehydration status of the patients objectively. Results: Of 57 patients, their mean age was 19.84 +/- 14.97 months. The mean number of patients' siblings was 1.76 +/- 0.76. 10.5% of parents had knowledge about adenovirus-related diarrhea. Parents believed that adenoviruses were transmitted through contaminated water (45.6%), food (17.5%), and surface (19.3%) and through human-to-human contact (17.5%). A significant relationship was found between parental education level and knowledge of diarrhea caused by an adenovirus (p = 0.032). In addition, a significant relationship was noted between parental education level and hand washing after each diaper change (p = 0.016). Moreover, no significant difference was found between the duration of breastfeeding and the time to initiation of oral intake after diarrhea (p = 0.501). Discussion: It was thought that having a large family, education level, working status of parents were factors that influence the course of adenovirus and the development of dehydration that would require hospitalization. We believe that families' knowledge of adenovirus infection and possible complications will help in preventing irreversible morbidities. Therefore, adenovirus infections need to be included in informative speeches in the field of preventive medicine.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessAdenovirusGastroenteritisChildArticle12111244124710.4328/ACAM.20717WOS:000732422900010N/A