Occurrence of Diarrhoea Among Infants and Children in Ekiti State, Nigeria: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

A six-year retrospective study of the prevalence of diarrhoea among infants and children in 64 health care facilities including 48 basic health centers and 16 comprehensive health centers in Ekiti State, Nigeria was carried out as a preliminary determination of the rate of diarrhoea among children. Data in the medical records in the healthcare facilities between the years 2002–2007 were extracted to determine the rate of diarrhoea in the state. Prospective study is recommended for Local Government with the highest prevalence rate of infantile diarrhoea. Ikere Local Government Area recorded the highest prevalent with 265 cases made up of 131 male and 134 female followed by Gboyin Local Government Area with 130 and 118 cases in male and female, respectively. Ilejemeje and Moba Local Government Areas had the least cases of dysentery, within the period of the study, with 75 and 95, respectively. The highest cases of diarrhea were recorded in 2006; 380 male and 358 female, followed by 2007 with 588 cases. Year 2002 had the least number of cases of diarrhea, with 110 and 81 in males and females respectively.

Keywords

• Diarrhea
• Infants
• Children
• Stool
• Pathogens
• Ekiti State