An operational evaluation of the Community Oral Rehydration Units in Peru

Abstract

Since 1984, in Latin America donor agencies and national governments have extensively supported the implementation of the Community Oral Rehydration Units (CORUs) in an attempt to increase the access to oral rehydration therapy and improve the case management of diarrhoea at the community level. This study surveyed 40 CORUs in two regions of Peru to assess their operation, the number of patients with diarrhoea attended, and the knowledge of volunteers in charge. The results show that CORUs were mainly implemented close to existing health centres; the median of case load was 2.0 patients in the preceding month; and the volunteers' knowledge of case management was principally deficient in the diagnosis of hydration status, dietary management and in preventive measures. This lack of knowledge was replicated by professionals at the supervising health centres. Despite the fact that CORUs have been functioning for around four years, they exhibit numerous deficiencies which prevent them from fulfilling their objectives. A global review of the whole CORU strategy is called for.

Uso doméstico de sales de rehidratación oral y letalidad por cólera durante la epidemia de 1991 en la ciudad de Piura.

“…Con el fin de probar esta hipótesis, se realizó un estudio caso-control entre los pacientes atendidos por cólera en el Hospital Regional Cayetano Heredia de la Ciudad de Piura entre enero y julio de 1991. Esta ciudad fue escogida por haber sido una de las más golpeadas por la epidemia, porque de acuerdo a una encuesta local, el 85-90% de los enfermos por cólera acudieron a un centro de salud u hospital (5); y también porque contaba con una importante red de URO-C en funcionamiento (8).…”