SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC DETERMINANTS IN INCIDENCE OF DIARRHOEAL DISEASES AMONG UNDER FIVE CHILDREN IN DIBRUGARH DISTRICT OF ASSAM: A PROSPECTIVE FOLLOW UP STUDY

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Diarrhoeal diseases are a major public health problem in all the developing countries. Each episode leads nutritional deciency even if recovers from diarrhoea. As a result, diarrhoea is a major cause of malnutrition, and malnourished children are more likely to fall ill from diarrhoea. A community based prospective follow up study design was carried out from July, 2017 to March, 2019. A total 800 underMETHODS: ve children were enrolled from 13 rural cluster and 3 urban ward. During follow up, episodes of diarroea, duration of each episode and associated vomiting was recorded. During one year follow up period 283 (35.38%) children reported diarrhea. Total episode was 344. OverallRESULTS: number of episodes per child per year was 0.43 with highest in children of rural tea garden population (0.54) and lowest in children of urban areas (0.28). Overall attack rate was 43%. Higher in children of rural tea garden population and lowest in urban population. We found signicant association of diarrhea with socioeconomic status, number of family members, age and education of mother. Incidence ofCONCLUSION: diarrhea was more among rural population than urban and further more in rural tea garden population.