Diarrhoeal diseases amongst children under five. A study in rural Alwar.
A house to house survey was done in three villages of district Alwar covering 875 children under five years age. Two week incidence of diarrhoea morbidity was 2.27 episodes/child/year taking into consideration the seasonal correction factor. The incidence decreased with increase of age. Incidence was found significantly more in children of illiterate mother (p < 0.05). Children of poor socio-economic conditions as determined by occupational status (labourers) suffered significantly more often from diarrhoea as compared to children of higher socio-economic status (agriculturist and others). Fifty per cent episodes of diarrhoea were treated with antibiotics, and only one child was given ORS. It is a matter of concern. About 3.7 per cent mothers washed their hands before preparing meals while, 1.6 per cent washed their hands after toilet. Only 2 per cent mothers had the knowledge of preparing the home made salt sugar solution. An intensive health education campaign is therefore, necessary for health professionals as well as mothers.
National Institute of Communicable Diseases, Delhi.
J
J
Singh
D
D
Gowriswari
B R
BR
Chavan
R A
RA
Patiat
A C
AC
Debnath
D C
DC
Jain
R S
RS
Sharma
R C
RC
Sharma
K K
KK
Datta
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D012423:Rural Health; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors