Diarrheal diseases among children in India: Current scenario and future perspectives

Subitha Lakshminarayanan1, Ramakrishnan Jayalakshmy2

  • 1Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, JIPMER, Puducherry, India.

Insights

Diarrhea significantly impacts child mortality in India, necessitating urgent, comprehensive control strategies. Accelerating progress in managing diarrheal diseases is crucial for meeting child mortality reduction goals.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Diarrheal diseases represent a major cause of mortality in Indian children under five, accounting for 13% of deaths.
  • Effective planning and health service organization require a thorough review of diarrheal disease determinants and control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review existing literature on diarrheal disease control in Indian children under five.
  • To synthesize information on disease burden, determinants, management, and prevention strategies.

Main Methods:

  • A literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and other internet databases.
  • Data were analyzed and described concerning disease burden, determinants, interventions, and public health roles.

Main Results:

  • The review identified key areas including disease burden, social determinants, case management, and preventive measures.
  • Current strategies require enhancement to effectively reduce the impact of diarrheal diseases.

Conclusions:

  • A comprehensive diarrheal disease control strategy is essential, integrating improved case management and addressing social determinants.
  • Further research into cost-effective interventions is needed to accelerate progress towards reducing child mortality.

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