Abstract
Objectives
This study was done to determine the risk factors, management practices and awareness about diarrhoea.
Methods
It was a cross sectional study done in a semi urban and rural areas of South Canara district of India in February 2013. A total of 167 households (575 study population) chosen systematic randomly were visited and one adult member in each house was interviewed. The houses were also inspected to assess the living conditions.
Results
Mean age of study population was 31.1 ± 20.2 years. The period prevalence of diarrhoea was 69 (12 %). Commonest associated symptoms in cases of diarrhoea were fever 30 (43.4 %) followed by abdominal cramps 29 (42 %). Nearly half of the cases with diarrhoea 34 (49.3 %) did not take any medications. Commonest treatment taken was allopathic medicines 26 (37.8 %) followed by home remedies 8 (22.9 %). Age ≤10 years (p < 0.001) was associated with risk of developing diarrhoea using binary logistic regression analysis. Among the 167 participants, awareness level about the disease was poor among 16 (9.6 %) and moderate among 149 (89.2 % participants). Awareness level was more among females (p = 0.001) and literate participants (p = 0.013). One hundred and sixteen (69.5 %) participants were not aware of any sign or symptom of dehydration other than loose stools. Majority of the participants 138 (82.6 %) preferred home remedies as the initial management of diarrhoea. Misconception about fluid restriction in diarrhoea was stated by 12(7.2 %) participants.
Conclusion
Public education program on proper feeding and management practices is required to address the various issues identified and for containment of diarrhoea cases in future.
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Acknowledgments
We authors thank Ms. Ralf Rundgren Graves, Director Regional Institutes, FAIMER, Philadelphia, USA and Manipal University Press, Manipal, India for their help in language edition of this manuscript. We also thank the participants for their enthusiasm and cooperation for participation. No source of funding was acquired for this study. This manuscript has been read and approved by all the authors and the requirements for authorship as stated earlier in this document have been met and each author believes that this manuscript represents honest work.
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Joseph, N., Suvarna, P., Hariharan Bharadwaj, S. et al. Prevalence, risk factors and treatment practices in diarrhoeal diseases in south India. Environ Health Prev Med 21, 248–257 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-016-0521-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-016-0521-7