Epidemiology Correlates Of Diarrhoea In A Rural Area Of Varanasi

Abstract

Three hundred sixty nine children under six years of age were examined every month by house to house visits in Barain village of Chiraigaon Block, varanasi. The prevalence of diarrhoea was 75.1%. Maximum prevalence of diarrhoea occurred between the ages of 1-2 years, the mean age being 2.4 years SD+ 1.43. No sex differences were observed (M.F = 1.04: 1). Maximum prevalence of diarrhoea was observed in the summer months followed by the rainy season (p.001). 81.8 % cases were from the high-income group (per capita monthly income greater than Rs.100). Diarrhoea was not related to literacy, type of family, caste and socio-economic status of the parents (p 0.05). The mean duration before reporting to a health center was 5 days + S.D 1.96. Dehydration was observed in 10.9% episodes, the maximum (84.5%) episodes being of mild type. Camphor and Asfoetida were the commonly used home remedies. Salt sugar solution of variable composition, and soda water with sugar and lemon were the commonly used fluids at home. 99.4% mothers continued to breast feed their children during diarrhoea.