Prevalence and hospitalization rates due to diarrhoea in infants: the 2006 Brazilian National Demographic Health Survey

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of and hospitalization rate due to diarrhea and to identify factors associated with diarrheal disease and related hospitalizations in children less than two years old in Brazil. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 1,902 children who were participants in the 2006 National Demographic and Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Demografia e Saúde da Criança e da Mulher -PNDS 2006). To collect data, children's mothers were interviewed. The prevalence of and hospitalization rate due to diarrhea were calculated for the two weeks before the interview and for the last year, respectively. Logistic regression models were fitted to identify the prevalence of diarrhea and the risk factors associated with diarrhea occurrence and related hospitalizations. A complex sample statistical technique was applied for all analyses. Results: The prevalence of diarrhea and hospitalization rate due to diarrhea were 11.9% and 2.6%, respectively. Children living in the North and Northeast regions had a greater risk of diarrhea, while children under 12 months old, those who were receiving age-appropriate exclusive breastfeeding and those with mothers greater than 35 years old were protected against the disease. Male children living in households that did not have a land-floor in the North and Northeast regions had a higher risk of hospitalization due to diarrhea, while children of mothers who had a higher education level (> 4 years) were protected against it. Conclusion: Diarrhea is still a public health problem for children under two years old in Brazil, especially in the North and Northeast regions. Diarrhea control and prevention programs should inform young mothers with lower education levels about children's healthcare, including the benefits of breastfeeding.

Prevalence and Health Care–Seeking Behavior for Childhood Diarrheal Disease in Bangladesh

“…A similar study conducted in Kenya and found that care seeking is common for sick children in the youngest age group (0-11 months) and is slightly higher for boys than girls. 49 Our study results are consistent with those of a similar study of Brazil, where it was found that male children were more likely to be hospitalized for diarrheal disease than female children, 9 which also reflects the average cost of treatment in Bangladesh. 50 Age and education of mothers are significantly associated with treatment seeking patterns.…”

“…This might be because those infants are more dependent on the mother and require feeding appropriate for their age, which may lower the risk of diarrheal infections. 9 The study indicated that older mothers could be a protective factor against diarrheal diseases, in keeping with the results of other studies in other low-and middle-income countries. [43][44][45] However, the education and occupation of the mother are determining factors of the prevalence of childhood diarrhea.…”

“…However, in Bangladesh, information on the age-specific prevalence rate of childhood diarrhea is still limited, although such studies are vital for informing policies and allowing international comparisons. 9,10 Clinically speaking, diarrhea is an alteration in a normal bowel movement characterized by an increase in the water content, volume, or frequency of stools. 11 A decrease in consistency (ie, soft or liquid) and an increase in the frequency of bowel movements to ≥3 stools per day have often been used as a definition for epidemiological investigations.…”

“…However, in Bangladesh, information on the age-specific prevalence rate of childhood diarrhea is still limited, although such studies are vital for informing policies and allowing international comparisons. 9,10…”

Economic costs of hospitalized diarrheal disease in Bangladesh: a societal perspective

“…There are several studies about the economic burden of diarrheal disease in many countries [ 19 – 25 ] but knowledge about the treatment cost of a full diarrheal episode is still limited in Bangladesh although such studies are vital for informing policies and allowing international comparisons [ 26 , 27 ]. There are several economic studies are available focusing diarrheal diseases in Bangladesh [ 28 – 31 ].…”