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Predictors of diarrhoea in young Bangladeshi children
1Population Studies Centre, ICDDR, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Insights
Infant diarrhea episodes are linked to early-life diarrhea and household crowding. Mothers' handwashing practices can reduce this risk, highlighting the importance of hygiene for child health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Diarrhoea remains a significant health concern in young children globally.
- Understanding risk factors for recurrent diarrhoea is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between early-life diarrhoea experience and subsequent diarrhoea episodes in children aged 6-23 months.
- To assess the influence of domestic hygiene and household size on diarrhoea incidence.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study involving 196 children aged 6-23 months.
- Weekly recording of diarrhoea episodes and observational assessments of domestic hygiene.
- Correlation and regression analyses were employed to determine associations.
Main Results:
- Diarrhoea experience in the first 6 months of life was positively associated with diarrhoea episodes between 6-23 months.
- Mothers' handwashing significantly strengthened this association, while faecal disposal and water source did not.
- The presence of other young children (<5 years) in the household independently predicted increased diarrhoea episodes.
Conclusions:
- Early-life diarrhoea is a predictor of later episodes, emphasizing the need for early interventions.
- Maternal handwashing is a key modifiable factor in reducing childhood diarrhoea.
- Household crowding is an independent risk factor for diarrhoea in young children.
Abstract:
This study investigated diarrhoea episodes in 196 children aged 6-23 months in relation to their diarrhoea experience in the first 6 months of life, domestic hygiene, and number of other children aged < 5 years in the household. Diarrhoea episodes were recorded weekly, while observations on domestic hygiene behaviour patterns were made once in 1982 and 1983. Correlation and regression analyses suggest that diarrhoea experience in the first 6 months of life was positively associated with diarrhoea episodes in ages 6-23 months. The strength of association improved a little, but significantly by controlling for mothers' handwashing, but did not improve by controlling for disposal of faeces and use of tube-well water for domestic use. The number of other children aged < 5 years in the household was an independent predictor of diarrhoea episodes in the age group 6-23 months.