Comparison of the effects of olive oil and sunflower oil use on diaper rash formation and treatment in 0-24 month infants hospitalized in pediatric clinic

Objective: This study was conducted to compare the effects of olive oil and sunflower oil on the formation and treatment of diaper rash in 0-24 month old babies hospitalized in a pediatric clinic. Materials and methods: The research was conducted as a semi-experimental with two experimental groups (olive oil group, sunflower oil group) and one control group. The sample of the study consisted of 150 babies aged 0-24 months who were hospitalized in Midyat State Hospital and used antibiotics between January and July 2024. 50 babies were included in the control group where no intervention was made for protective baby care, 50 babies were included in the experimental group where protective baby care was applied and sunflower oil was used, and 50 babies were included in the experimental group where protective baby care was applied and olive oil was used. Mothers of the babies in the experimental group were given diaper rash preventive care training. Data were collected by monitoring the babies for 3-7 days and evaluated using the Chi-square Test of Independence, Pearson Chi-square, Fisher Freeman Halton Exact test and Kruskal Wallis H test. Results: While the rate of diaper rash development was 62% in the control group without protective diaper care, it was 32% in the experimental group with protective diaper care and using sunflower oil, and 30% in the experimental group with protective diaper care and using olive oil. While all diaper rash cases in the experimental groups were classified as first degree, second degree diaper rash cases were also encountered in the control group. In the comparison of the two experimental groups, it was seen that the effects of sunflower oil and olive oil in preventing diaper rash were similar. Conclusion: The rate of diaper rash in babies in the sunflower oil and olive oil experimental group who received protective diaper care was found to be lower than in babies in the control group. By the pediatric nurse; It is recommended that mothers/caregivers of diaper-wearing babies admitted to clinics be given diaper rash prevention training and topical use of sunflower oil/olive oil after each diaper change.