Background: Today, diarrhea remains a major public health problem. In developing countries, diarrhea is among the leading causes of childhood morbidity and mortality. An estimated one billion episodes and 2.5 million deaths occur each year among children under five years of age. About 80% of deaths due to diarrhea occur in the first two years of life [1,2]. The oral rehydration therapy is the keystone of National Diarrhoeal Disease Control Programme.The packets of oral rehydration salts (ORS) are available at the Primary health centres as well as in chemist shops. There are depot holders of ORS packets in the community too. Most of the times the health care workers do not emphasise the role, benefits and method of preparation of ORS. As a result of this mothers do not know the right method of preparation of ORS and do not understand the need to give ORS to the child [3]. Objectives: To assess the knowledge regarding ORT for acute diarrhea among mothers of under five children .To assess the practice regarding ORT for acute diarrhea among mothers of under five children. To associate the relationship between knowledge and practices of mothers of under five children regarding ORS for acute diarrhea with selected socio demographic variables. Methods: A descriptive study involving 100 mothers of under five children was carried out with interview schedule. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. It included data regarding socio-demographic characteristics and questions pertaining to knowledge and practices of mothers of under five children about ORS. Results: Out of 100 study participants, 71(71%) mothers were homemakers and 42(42%) were primary education and the most common source of information regarding ORS was health personnel. It was seen that 56 (56%) mothers had moderate knowledge about ORS, 36(36%) mothers had moderate knowledge on practice regarding ORS for acute diarrhea. 100(100%) participants knew about zinc supplementation. The higher education level of mother was associated with better knowledge regarding various aspects of oral rehydration therapy. conclusion: The knowledge and practices regarding the use of ORS for acute diarrhea is moderate . So, there is need to educate mothers regarding the use of ORS as well as homemade ORS substitutes during diarrhea, in order to reduce children mortality and morbidity rates. 

Keywords: Diarrhea; Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS); Acute diarrhea; ORT.