Effect of improved housing on illness in children under 5 years old in northern Malawi: cross sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of a Habitat for Humanity housing improvement programme in northern Malawi on the prevalence of childhood illnesses.


METHODS
Household based cross sectional study.


METHODS
Rural communities centred near the small northern Malawi town of Ekwendeni.


METHODS
318 children under 5 years old.


METHODS
Prevalence of respiratory, gastrointestinal, and malarial infections according to maternal recall, laboratory, or clinical data.


RESULTS
Children living in improved homes were less likely to have respiratory, gastrointestinal, or malarial illnesses (odds ratio 0.56, 95% confidence interval 0.35 to 0.91) after confounding factors were controlled for. The reductions in individual diseases were not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Improved housing significantly reduced the burden of disease among children under 5 years old.
Wolff
C G
CG
Department of International Health, Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Schroeder
D G
DG
Young
M W
MW
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004813:Epidemiology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006798:Housing / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control; D008295:Malawi; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control