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Treatment patterns for childhood diarrhoea: evidence from demographic and health surveys
1Epidemiological Surveillance Service, Division of Health Situation and Trend Assessment, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
Insights
Public and private healthcare providers often fail to correctly treat childhood diarrhea, with private providers less likely to use oral rehydration salts (ORS) and more likely to prescribe unnecessary medications. Improving treatment strategies for childhood diarrhea is crucial for public health programs.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Childhood diarrhea remains a significant global health issue.
- Effective treatment is crucial to reduce morbidity and mortality.
- Variations in treatment practices between public and private healthcare sectors warrant investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine and compare childhood diarrhea treatment patterns.
- To assess the utilization of oral rehydration salts (ORS) and other medications.
- To identify disparities in care between public and private healthcare providers.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 28 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS).
- Examination of treatment protocols for childhood diarrhea.
- Comparison of care practices in public versus private healthcare settings.
Main Results:
- Over 50% of children with diarrhea receiving care were treated with ORS.
- Private providers were less likely to use ORS and more likely to prescribe unnecessary drugs compared to public providers.
- Bloody diarrhea appeared to be undertreated in available country data.
Conclusions:
- National public health programs need to enhance strategies for consistent, correct childhood diarrhea treatment.
- Interventions should address the suboptimal prescribing practices of private healthcare providers.
- Ensuring appropriate management of all diarrhea types, including bloody diarrhea, is essential.
Abstract:
Treatment patterns for childhood diarrhoea among providers in public and private settings have been examined using data from 28 surveys in the Demographic and Health Surveys programme. In the majority of surveys, at least 50% of the children with diarrhoea who sought care from a health provider (public or private) received treatment that included oral rehydration salts (ORS). Private providers are a significant source of care for children with diarrhoea, but they are less likely to use ORS and more likely to prescribe unneeded drugs than providers in public settings. In countries where data are available, bloody diarrhoea appears to be undertreated. The results indicate that national public health programmes must continue to improve their strategies to ensure correct treatment of childhood diarrhoea by all health providers.