28-31
An Epidemiological Study of Factors Associated With Acute Diarrheal Diseases in Children 1-4 Years of Age in an Urban Slum of Pune City
Authors: Jha Ajay Kumar, Pawaiya Amit Singh, Pathak N K
Number of views: 542
Every year some 12 million children in developing countries die before they reach their fifth birthday, Many during the first year of life. 7 in 10 deaths are due to acute respiratory infections, diarrhea, measles, malaria or malnutrition or a combination of these conditions. This longitudinal study is formulated with the objectives to determine the incidence of diarrhea among urban children and study some of the epidemiological factors responsible for such morbidity. By using Pre design semi structure questionnaire, a Cross Sectional Study was conducted on 195 children of 1-4 year aged by house to house visit residing in the Landewadi slum, Pune from Nov 2008- Dec 2009.There were 346 households from which 195 children formed the study population. In the present study incidence of acute diarrhea was highest in monsoon season and lowest in winter. The incidence of acute diarrheal disease was higher in male as compare to female and the difference was not statistically significant. Children in the age group of 13-24 months had the highest incidence of diarrhea. Among the risk factor similar child living in overcrowded space, living in house with insanitary excreta disposal and with poor water supply had a higher risk of acute diarrhea. Risk of diarrhea was 2.7 times more in undernourished children as compare to normal nutrition stats children. This study examined the relative strength of the different factors contributing to diarrhea among young children in India. The results point to the importance of good hygiene practices within the home in reducing the incidence of diarrhea among young children. Furthermore, children born to undernourished, i.e. anemic, mothers may be more susceptible to infection than children whose mothers are well nourished.