title: Village-based distribution of oral rehydration therapy packets in Bangladesh.
abstract: The distribution of sucrose-electrolyte oral therapy packets (1 liter) by community-based workers in a rural Bangladesh population of 157,000 was evaluated. A similar population of 134,000 served as a comparison group. The locally-produced packets showed satisfactory chemical composition with a shelf-life of up to 3 months and a cost of U.S. $0.05. After 4 months the workers were distributing an average of 70 packets/1,000 population per month. Most patients used one packet for each episode of diarrhea; 13% of children used two packets, and 15% and 8% of adults used, respectively, two and three packets. The electrolyte composition of the oral fluids prepared by field workers and mothers showed substantial variation, but no hyperconcentrated solutions were noted. A comparison of the hospitalization rate from the two study areas suggested a 29% reduction in hospitalization for diarrhea during the 4 months of distribution.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001459:Bangladesh; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003153:Community Health Services; D003681:Dehydration / Q000628:therapy*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000628:therapy*; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000628:therapy; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D013395:Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D013395:Sucrose