title: Prevalence, risk factors and treatment practices in diarrhoeal diseases in south India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was done to determine the risk factors, management practices and awareness about diarrhoea.
  
  
  METHODS
  It was a cross sectional study done in a semi urban and rural areas of South Canara district of India in February 2013. A total of 167 households (575 study population) chosen systematic randomly were visited and one adult member in each house was interviewed. The houses were also inspected to assess the living conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of study population was 31.1 ± 20.2 years. The period prevalence of diarrhoea was 69 (12 %). Commonest associated symptoms in cases of diarrhoea were fever 30 (43.4 %) followed by abdominal cramps 29 (42 %). Nearly half of the cases with diarrhoea 34 (49.3 %) did not take any medications. Commonest treatment taken was allopathic medicines 26 (37.8 %) followed by home remedies 8 (22.9 %). Age ≤10 years (p < 0.001) was associated with risk of developing diarrhoea using binary logistic regression analysis. Among the 167 participants, awareness level about the disease was poor among 16 (9.6 %) and moderate among 149 (89.2 % participants). Awareness level was more among females (p = 0.001) and literate participants (p = 0.013). One hundred and sixteen (69.5 %) participants were not aware of any sign or symptom of dehydration other than loose stools. Majority of the participants 138 (82.6 %) preferred home remedies as the initial management of diarrhoea. Misconception about fluid restriction in diarrhoea was stated by 12(7.2 %) participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Public education program on proper feeding and management practices is required to address the various issues identified and for containment of diarrhoea cases in future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Light House Hill Road, Mangalore, 575001, India. drnitinjoseph@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nitin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Light House Hill Road, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Punya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Suvarna
authors.affiliation: Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Light House Hill Road, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hariharan Bharadwaj
authors.affiliation: Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Light House Hill Road, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Dhanush
authors.affiliation: Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Light House Hill Road, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Fathima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Raeesa
authors.affiliation: Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Light House Hill Road, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Mohamed Jasir
authors.affiliation: Al Nile Dental Clinic, Sohar, Oman.
authors.forename: Nita
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Light House Hill Road, Mangalore, 575001, India.
authors.forename: Shashidhar M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kotian
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Light House Hill Road, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Sharada
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Awareness; Diarrhoea; Management; Prevalence; Risk factors