Diarrhoeal disease in under five year olds: An epidemiological study in an Australian aboriginal community

Abstract

The incidence of diarrhoeal disease was determined during a two year period 1985-1986 in under five year old children in an Aboriginal community in South Australia. The incidence was 1.02 episodes/child/year in 1985 and 0.90 episodes/child/year in 1986. In both years the highest incidence was in the 12-23 month age group. A total of 42 episodes of dehydration were recorded and 39 evacuations to hospital were effected. Children who lived in houses were more prone to develop diarrhoea than those who lived in camps or who alternated between living in camps and houses. The high incidence of diarrhoea may be due to lack of adequate facilities for personal and domestic hygiene, unsuitable housing and an unhygienic environment.