[The influence of various dietetic and hygienic changes on the epidemiology of infantile gastro-enteritis].
The high incidence of infantile gastro-enteritis in the "Arturo Eryies" Health Area, the infrequent identification of the casual agent, and the heavy costs incurred (greater than 2 million pesetas per year) were the factors which led to the establishment of an action plan intended to reduce the incidence of the disease, gain a better understanding of the causal agents involved and to reduce the level of hospital admittance and the ensuing costs. The first year's activity involved an individualised information campaing about preventive and therapeutic measures, modifications to the feeding programme during the first year, and systematic biological studies: although the frequency of gastroenteritis was reduced from 19.5 % to 16.6 %, and identification of the causal agent was increased from 8.9 % to 21.2 %, the level of hospitalisation did not significantly decrease (from 4 % to 3.2 %). Individualised health education concentrating on rules of hygiene for the preparation and conservation of food and preventive dietetic measure to be taken when the symptoms appeared, together with systematic biological study does reduce the incidence of infantile gastroenteritis and thus the cost, while also providing better epidemiological information.
Ruiz Miguel
C
C
Centro de Salud Arturo Eyries, Valladolid.
Pere Pedrol
J A
JA
Ruiz Bobillo
M
M
Nieto Obispo
A I
AI
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant