Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 13, 2026

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
10:57

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children

Published on: August 22, 2012

Diarrhoea among Vietnamese refugees in the Philippines

S V Rodriguez, P D Santos Ocampo, E K Ka

    The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health
    |September 1, 1982
    PubMed

    Insights

    Diarrhoea significantly impacted Vietnamese refugee children, causing 32.5% of pediatric visits. Bacterial pathogens were uncommon, suggesting viruses and poor sanitation are key factors in this vulnerable population.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatrics
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Public Health

    Background:

    • Diarrhoea is a major health concern in refugee settings.
    • Vietnamese refugee camps faced significant pediatric consultations due to diarrhoeal diseases.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the incidence, clinical presentation, and etiology of diarrhoea in Vietnamese refugee camp children.
    • To identify contributing factors to diarrhoeal disease outbreaks in this population.

    Main Methods:

    • A 6-month survey of diarrhoeal cases in Vietnamese refugee camp children.
    • Laboratory work-up for 120 identified cases.
    • Analysis of incidence peaks, clinical symptoms, and identified pathogens.

    Main Results:

    • Diarrhoea accounted for 32.5% of pediatric consultations, peaking in children aged 4-6 years.
    • Peak incidence occurred in April and June, coinciding with increased transient populations and the rainy season.
    • Bacterial pathogens were identified in only 8.3% of cases, with enteropathogenic E. coli being most common. Viral agents are suspected as a major cause.

    Conclusions:

    • Bacterial pathogens are not the primary cause of diarrhoea in this population; viral agents likely play a significant role.
    • Inadequate environmental sanitation and limited health education are major contributing factors to the high incidence of diarrhoea.
    • Interventions should focus on improving sanitation and health education to reduce diarrhoeal disease burden.

    More Related Videos

    Assessment of The Effect of Antidiarrheal Drugs and Plant Extracts on Drosophila melanogaster07:38

    Assessment of The Effect of Antidiarrheal Drugs and Plant Extracts on Drosophila melanogaster

    Published on: November 17, 2023

    Ginger Moxibustion, A Non-pharmacological Treatment, for Diarrhea in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease03:25

    Ginger Moxibustion, A Non-pharmacological Treatment, for Diarrhea in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

    Published on: December 27, 2024

    Related Concept Videos

    Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents01:17

    Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents

    Diarrhea, a condition marked by frequent loose or watery bowel movements, can be triggered by multiple factors such as viral or bacterial infections, food intolerances, anxiety, medications, and digestive disorders. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and cramping. Severe or prolonged diarrhea can lead to complications like electrolyte imbalances, malnutrition, and dehydration if left untreated.
    Opioids, widely used antidiarrheal agents, mitigate diarrhea by slowing down...
    Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Adsorbents as Antidiarrheal Agents01:20

    Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Adsorbents as Antidiarrheal Agents

    Diarrhea is characterized by the occurrence of frequent, watery bowel movements. Various factors can trigger diarrhea, including viral or bacterial infections, foodborne illnesses, side effects from certain medications, and underlying digestive disorders. If not adequately managed, diarrhea can lead to complications such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and nutrient deficiencies. Severe diarrhea can lead to significant weight loss, malnutrition, and weakened immune function.
    Adsorbents...
    Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents01:18

    Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents

    Acute diarrhea, a common gastrointestinal disturbance, is characterized by the rapid evacuation of fluid stools, leading to an excessive weight in fluid. This condition typically arises from disorders affecting intestinal water and electrolyte transport. It can be triggered by an increased osmotic load within the intestine, excessive secretion of electrolytes and water, mucosal exudation of protein and fluid, or altered intestinal motility. The primary risks of acute diarrhea are dehydration...
    Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

    Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

    Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
    Cholera01:25

    Cholera

    Cholera is an acute gastrointestinal disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is transmitted primarily via the fecal-oral route through the ingestion of contaminated water or food.Vibrio cholerae is a motile, Gram-negative bacterium of the family Vibrionaceae, primarily associated with waterborne outbreaks in areas with inadequate sanitation. Although over 200 serogroups of V. cholerae exist, only O1 and O139 are responsible for epidemic cholera. The O1 serogroup,...
    Giardiasis01:12

    Giardiasis

    Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...