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.
Singh
J
J
National Institute of Communicable Diseases, Delhi.
Gowriswari
D
D
Chavan
B R
BR
Patiat
R A
RA
Debnath
A C
AC
Jain
D C
DC
Sharma
R S
RS
Sharma
R C
RC
Datta
K K
KK
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