Review of the steps

Step 1: Ask the question(s).

Ask each question in two parts: the first part will orient you to how the child has been treated (e.g. "Has your child been drinking?"); the second part will help you get more information ("What has he been drinking? More, less, or the same amount as usual?" - or - "Why not?").

The first part of each key questions is:

Has the child been drinking?

Has the child been eating?

Has the child taken any medication or other treatments?

Step 2: Praise and Encourage the mother's helpful practices.

It is likely that the mother is doing some very good things for the child's diarrhoea (e.g., giving the child plenty of liquids to drink). If this is the case, praise the mother, and encourage her to keep doing these things. If not, praise her for having brought her child to the health facility for care.

Step 3: Advise the mother what else to do.

Even if the mother does some things correctly in treating her child's diarrhoea, she probably does not do everything right. She may also want (or need) to be told why some things are necessary. Or, she may be doing harmful things. Advise against the behaviour, and suggest something else in its place. Use simple language and words that the mother will understand.

Step 4: Check her understanding.

This step will allow you to see exactly what the mother has understood from your advice, so you can complete the information or correct any misunderstandings. Use open questions, and let the mother explain in her own words; use the Mother's Card to review information.

(Optional): Refer her to a small group session in which she can learn how to prepare ORS, or arrange for her to have a review of the rules of case management in the home, if you feel this is necessary.

Now that you have learned and reviewed all the steps, try to complete the following outline:

A ____ P ____ A ____ C

Ask about __________
__________ and encourage the mother
Advise

Ask about __________
Praise and __________ the mother
__________
__________ _____ __________ __________ eating and drinking

Ask about __________ __________
__________ _____ __________ the mother
Advise

Advise the mother on __________ ___ __________ __________

__________ and review all advice using __________ ______

(__________ the mother to a _____ _____ if necessary)