Prevalence Of Diarrhea Research Articles

Diarrhea as a Disease of Poverty Among Under-Five Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of diarrhea among under-five children in low-middle-income countries and identify the sociodemographic factors associated with it. Data of 36 countries in sub-Saharan Africa from demographic and Health Surveys (2006-2018) comprising 251 341 mother-child (singleton) dyads were analyzed to estimate the prevalence and various modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors of diarrhea. Occurrence of diarrhea during the last 2 weeks was the outcome variable which was measured by mothers' observation of the condition. The overall prevalence of having diarrhea during last 2 weeks was 18.44% (19.12% among boys and 17.75% among girls). Boys had higher percentage of having diarrhea than girls in all countries except in Libya. The risk ratios of having diarrhea decreased progressively with higher wealth quintiles; the risks of were respectively 7% [RR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.91; 0.97], 11% [RR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.86; 0.92] and 18% [RR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.78; 0.85] lower for households in the middle, richer and richest households. Rural residency was associated with lower risks [RR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.93; 0.98] and not having access to improved water [RR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.03; 1.08] and toilet facilities [RR = 0.04, 95% CI = 1.01; 1.07] were associated with higher risks of diarrhea. Regarding children's characteristics, higher age groups, birth order were associated with higher risks and female sex with lower risks. Children with mothers in the higher age groups and with above secondary level education had lower risks, and primary education had higher risks of diarrhea. Meta-analysis of 36 countries revealed a significantly negative association between wealth quintile and diarrhea (Odds ratio = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.69; 0.74). Findings indicate the presence of a significant wealth gradient in the burden of diarrheal diseases among under-five children in sub-Saharan Africa, and underscores the need for paying special attention to the marginalized communities when designing intervention programs.

Evaluation of Vectorial Capacity of Houseflies and Cockroaches for Transmitting Human Intestinal Parasites

Houseflies and cockroaches are adapted to live in close association with human habitations. They carry lots of medically important parasites and pathogens to humans and animals. The study was carried out in Malegaon city of District Nashik (M.S., India). The objective of the present work was to investigate the presence of human intestinal parasites transmitted mechanically by these insects and to evaluate prevalence of diarrhea in the present study area. Houseflies and cockroaches were collected for a period of four months (July to October, 2020) from different areas like kitchen, restaurants, canteen, garbage piles, grocery stores, and fish and meat shops. Microscopic examination of intestinal parasites was conducted by using standard procedure. A total of 265 flies (166 Musca domestica, 49 Chrysomya megacephala, 31 Musca autumnalis, 19 Musca sorbens) and 230 cockroaches (137 Periplaneta americana, 54 Blatella germanica, 39 Blattella orientalis) were collected and examined for possible human intestinal parasites. Of the total examined flies and cockroaches, 181 (68.3%) flies and 163 (70.9%) cockroaches were found to be carriers of various parasites. A total of four protozoan and three helminth parasites were isolated from these insects. The most common protozoan and helminth parasites were Balantidium coli and Ascaris lumbricoides. There were also higher numbers of cockroaches positive for Balantidium coli and Entamoeba coli than houseflies. Similarly, females of both the insects were found to be more vectorial than males. Significant correlation (r=0.95197) was found between the incidence of diarrhea and number of positive flies. These data suggest that both the insects should be considered potential mechanical vectors of human intestinal parasites in the present study area.

Associations Between Bottled Water Consumption and Diarrhea Among Adults in Indonesia

This study aimed to analyze drinking water types and their relationship with diarrheal disease in adults. Cross-sectional study design was selected for this study and data were retrieved from 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) in 34 provinces in Indonesia. The sample of this study included household members with a total of 495,239 respondents. Data were analyzed using multinomial regression statistical methods to observe the relationship between drinking water types and other risk factors of diarrhea. The results of the analysis showed that the case of diarrhea in adults was at 6.3%. Respondents who consumed bottled water had a 1.2 times risk of not experiencing diarrhea compared to those who consume unimproved drinking water after controlled with defecation behaviour (OR= 1.20; 95% CI: 1.20 to 1.21; P< 0.005). Respondents who consumed refill drinking water had the same likelihood of not having diarrhea as those who consumed unimproved drinking water (OR= 0.99; 95% CI: 0.98 to 0.99; P< 0.05). Consumption of bottled drinking water is safer than refill drinking water in relation to the prevalence of diarrhea. Therefore, it is important to treat drinking water properly prior to consuming refill drinking water.

Prevalence and Determinants of Diarrhoea Disease amongst Under-Five Children Attending Immunization Clinic in a Secondary Health Facility in Benin City

Introduction: Diarrhoea is a major public health challenge in low and middle-income countries. It is the second leading cause of mortality in children under the age of five. It is also recognized that exposure to diarrhoea pathogens in developing countries is associated with such factors as quality and quantity of water, availability of toilet facilities, housing conditions, level of education, household economic status, place of residence, feeding practices, and the general sanitary conditions (personal or domestic hygiene) around the house. These factors are still prevalent in many Nigerian communities. This study therefore sought to determine the prevalence of diarrhoea and risk factors among under-five children seen at immunisation clinic of a secondary hospital in Nigeria. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study of 210 mothers attending well-baby clinic of a multi-specialist secondary health facility in Benin-City, South-South, Nigeria. Information relating to socio-demographics and occurrence of diarrhoea in their wards was obtained using ore-tested questionnaire. Data obtained were tabulated and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21. Chi-square was used to determine the relationship between qualitative variables the statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Result: Prevalence of diarrhoea was 38.6% with a mean number of episodes per year of 2.14. Prevalence of dysentery was 4.3%. There was significant association between age, nutritional status, source of water and the occurrence of diarrhoea (P values of 0.04, 0.038 & 0.02 respectively). Conclusion: This study shows a high prevalence of diarrhoea amongst under-5 children in our environment.

Etiology of diarrhoea among adult buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and their impact on haemato-biochemical and mineral profile

80 adult buffaloes suffering from diarrhea from sub-tropical and temperate zones of Jammu division were selected to establish etiology and to evaluate hemato-biochemical and mineral alterations. Clinico-haemato-biochemical,mineral and faecal evaluation was carried to relate alterations with respect to etiologies of diarrhoea. Strongyle infection was recorded among 32.5% buffaloes followed by amphistomiasis (18.75%), coccidiosis (7.5%), salmonellosis (7.5%) and balantidiasis (7.5%). 23.45% of affected buffaloes were placed under miscellaneous group as definite etiology could not be established. Season-wise, analysis revealed maximum prevalence of diarrhoea during rainy season (47.5%) followed by summer (35%) and winter (17.5%). Animals of 1 to 3 years age group had higher prevalence of coccidiosis (50%), strongyle infection (46.1%) and salmonellosis (37.5%) whereas, >6 years age group had higher prevalence amphistomiasis (66.7%) and balantidiasis (50%). Significant reduction (P<0.05) in hemoglobin, TEC, TPP, albumin, sodium, chloride, calcium and copper levels was recorded along with significant increase in plasma fibrinogen level among the diarrheic buffaloes. The results of blood gas analysis revealed significant (P<0.05) decrease in pH, pCO2, HCO3 and base excess and significant (P<0.05) increase in anion gap. Since, diarrhoea is a multifactorial disease leading to varying clinical signs, haemato-biochemical, mineral and blood gas changes which needs to be evaluated before recommending therapeutic regimen for recovery.

Prevalence and spatiotemporal distribution of rotavirus diarrhea among children younger than five years old in Lagos, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Data on spatiotemporal distribution of rotavirus diarrhea are limited in many endemic settings. This study determined the prevalence and seasonal distribution of rotavirus among Nigerian children with diarrhea. Here, a total of 406 fecal samples were collected from patients attending six health facilities in Lagos between January – December 2019. Socio-demographic data of each enrolled child were collected. Rotavirus VP6 antigen was detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and confirmation by VP7 gene detection by reverse transcription polymerase-chain reaction. The overall rotavirus diarrhea prevalence was 16.3% by ELISA with children above 2 years having 29.2% of this prevalence and higher occurrence in females (59.1%) than males (40.9%) (P < .05). Rotavirus diarrhea diagnosis using RT-PCR showed 100% concordance with ELISA. Cases of rotavirus diarrhea were detected from March to July and from September to November with the highest number of cases detected in May and June (22.7% each), followed by July (21.2%). The prevalence of rotavirus diarrhea remains high in Lagos with an emerging higher disease activity in children above 2. A different rotavirus transmission dynamics compared to previous studies from Nigeria and other African countries was found. VP6 ELISA may reliably be used for continuous rotavirus surveillance in Nigeria.

Households Health Cost from Water Borne Diseases in District Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

The provision of safe drinking water is a very serious issue in Pakistan, including Swat district. Recently, the effects of unsafe drinking water on the health cost of the local community of district Swat has got their importance. The main objective of the study is to estimate the households’ health costs of waterborne diseases. The secondary objective of the study is to determine the factors that affect the household health cost from water borne diseases. The study applied to the health cost function on primary data collated from 433 households through a survey questionnaire in district Swat. Results reveal that typhoid, diarrhea, vomiting, and gastroenteritis (vomiting &amp; diarrhea) are the most common waterborne diseases in the District. In rural areas of the district, the prevalence of typhoid and gastroenteritis is higher, whereas in urban areas the prevalence of diarrhea and vomiting is higher. Besides, households who use drinking water from public tube wells mostly suffer from gastroenteritis and vomiting, whereas households who use water from digging wells or from natural springs mostly suffer from gastroenteritis and diarrhea. On average, households bear the highest direct and total health costs of PKR 11685 or USD 52 and PKR 12778 or USD 57 respectively, if their family member suffers from typhoid. Similarly, on average, households bear the highest indirect health cost of PKR 1388 or USD 6, if their family member suffers from diarrhea. Results from the regressions show that household income, disease affected member age, education of household head, the prevalence of typhoid, diarrhea, vomiting, gastroenteritis, and the drinking water sources like tube well and spring significantly affect the direct, indirect, and total health costs of the households. The study recommended that the renovation of the existing drinking water sources and introduction of new safe drinking water schemes can reduce the burden of waterborne diseases and can reduce the health cost of households.

PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT DALAM KEPEMILIKAN JAMBAN KELUARGA DI DESA TALANG BOSENG WILAYAH PUSKESMAS SIDODADI KECAMATAN PONDOK KELAPA KABUPATEN BENGKULU TENGAH

Efforts to improve hygiene behavior and increase access to sanitation continue to be developed. One of the applications of the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) concept, CLTS is a concept with a promotion approach by facilitating the community to apply good environmental sanitation with a focus on not defecating in the open. Based on the 2019 annual report Health Center, the incidence of diarrhea ranks second in environmental-based diseases with 111 cases. The high prevalence of diarrhea is partly due to the lack of access to clean water, as much as 27.4% of clean water facilities/dug wells do not meet the requirements. As many as 35% of households still defecate in the open. The process of implementing community service activities in the framework of open defecation-free villages in Talang Boseng Village Working Area of ​​the Sidodadi Health Center, Pondok Kelapa District, Central Bengkulu Regency, namely using a combination of triggering and providing stimulants for the construction of family latrines carried out by the Community Service Team from the Bengkulu Ministry of Health Polytechnic, Sidodadi Health Center, Sidodadi Village Officials, and the Sidodadi community who do not yet have or who have latrines that do not meet health requirements.

Prevalence and risk factors of diarrhea among children less than five years of age in the rural suburbs of Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia; Robust Poisson Regression Analysis.

Diarrhea is the second leading cause of under-five mortality in Ethiopia. Information on the prevalence and the impacting factors of diarrhea in the rural suburbs of Dire Dawa is inadequate. This study was aimed at determining risk factors of diarrhea among children less than five years of age in the rural suburbs of Dire Dawa, eastern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 02 May 2018, to 31 May 2018. The required 1146 children for this study were selected from the rural suburbs of Dire Dawa using multi-stage sampling. Both bi-variable and multivariable Robust Poisson regressions were used for identifying the risk factors. Explanatory variables with a p-value < 0.05 were considered as independently associated with diarrhea. The prevalence of diarrhea among the children was 23% (95% CI: 20.7 - 25.4). The type of house floor (aPR [adjusted prevalence ratio] = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.84 - 0.95) and sharing latrine with neighbours (aPR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.09 - 1.26) were the significant factors associated with childhood diarrhea. Earthen house floor and shared use of latrine were the risk factors associated with childhood diarrhea. Hence, improving the house floor condition and construction of private latrine together with health education are recommended.

The Relationship between the WES Interventions and the Incidence of Diarrhoea

Access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities have a direct positive impact on health through prevention of water-borne diseases, especially diarrhoeal morbidity of children. Lack of WES (Water and Environmental Sanitation) services and poor hygiene practices in Pakistan contribute significantly to the prevalence of diarrhoea, a major cause of infant death and children less than five years of age. The estimates show that about 30 percent of total deaths among children are attributed to diarrhoeal disease [Gallup (2001); UNICEF (2000)], and 4.1 years in life expectancy can be added if water borne diseases are eliminated [Ali and Haq (2003)]. Hence, reduction of diarrhoeal morbidity stands out as an important policy goal, which can ultimately lead to reduction in infant/child mortality. In this paper, we shall examine the relationship of WES interventions with that of the incidence of diarrhoea among children under age 10.

Rearing system, socio-economic status and common diseases frequency of goats in the Northern part of Bangladesh

Goat farming is one of the most efficient ways to assist Bangladesh's poorest people in escaping poverty and increasing incomes. Since the majority of rural poor people cannot afford to raise large ruminants, they have heavily depended on raising small ruminants, such as goats, to supplement their livelihoods. The objective of the study was to clarify the current socio-economic status with the various constraints faced by goat farmers, management practices, and the common disease frequency of goats in the Northern part of Bangladesh. Survey data were collected from a total of 398 goat farmers in different villages in the Panchagarh, Jamalpur, and Kurigram districts of Bangladesh. Survey data indicated that 57.0 % of women farmers are involved with goat rearing. The study found that 40.5 % of goat farmers had 1–5 years’ of experience in farming goats. The data showed that 36.9 % of farmer’s income was < 10,000 BDT per year (1 $USD= 96 BDT) while 52.5 % of goat farmers earned between 10,000 and 20,000 BDT per year and 10.6 % of farmers earn > 20,000 BDT per year. Most of the farmers (67.3 %) reared goats in the semi-intensive system, but few farmers (8.5 %) used an intensive rearing system and 24.1 % of farmers used a free-range system. The semi-intensive system was most prevalent, 50.8 % of farmers used constructed separate night shelters, and 59.8 % used goat houses made of corrugated steel sheets. The majority of farmers used earthen flooring (61.8 %), and 47.5 % used straw for beds. 34.2 % of farmers wholly pasture-fed their goats, 30.2 % of farmers supplied grass with concentrate, and 53.8 % of farmers practiced grazing time of 5–8 h. The majority (83.7 %) of farmers did not use vaccines, 67.3 % did not use anthelmintics, and 85.7 % of farmers treated their goats with native quack medicine. The research found that common diseases prevalent in the goat such as PPR (49.2 %), Diarrhea (55.3 %), Acidosis (38.7 %), Navel ill (29.6 %), Myiasis (27.4 %), Urolithiasis (26.9 %) and Wounds (34.2 %). The prevalence of diarrhea and acidosis in goat farms were shown to be a significant association with the type of house and rearing person (P < 0.05), respectively, by univariate association of farm practices and common diseases. In the study, all of the goat farmers were faced with different constraints, the main constraints were determined to be complaints from neighbors (Rank I), a lack of green fodder (Rank II), and a lack of purebred bucks (Rank III). It is concluded that the socio-economic situation was poor and that the farmers did not pay much attention to the rearing system and healthcare (including anthelmintics, vaccinations, and veterinary services). To increase income for farmers, they require knowledge of prolific goat breeds, breeding, rearing systems, feeding, health care, hygiene and sanitation, entrepreneurship, empowerment of women, business strategy, financial incentives, and knowledge of marketing. To acquire all this knowledge, the study strongly recommends better training of farmers, hands-on education, modern goat farming, and raising awareness through regular vaccination campaigns.

Diarrhea Is a Hallmark of Inflammation in Pediatric COVID-19.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a pathogen with enteric tropism. We compared the clinical, biochemical and radiological features of children hospitalized for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, classified in two groups based on the presence of diarrhea. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the variables associated with diarrhea. Overall, 407 children were included in the study (226 males, 55.5%, mean age 3.9 ± 5.0 years), of whom 77 (18.9%) presented with diarrhea, which was mild in most cases. Diarrhea prevalence was higher during the Alpha (23.6%) and Delta waves (21.9%), and in children aged 5-11 y (23.8%). Other gastrointestinal symptoms were most commonly reported in children with diarrhea (p &lt; 0.05). Children with diarrhea showed an increased systemic inflammatory state (higher C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and ferritin levels, p &lt; 0.005), higher local inflammation as judged by mesenteric fat hyperechogenicity (adjusted Odds Ratio 3.31, 95%CI 1.13-9.70) and a lower chance of previous immunosuppressive state (adjusted Odds Ratio 0.19, 95%CI 0.05-0.70). Diarrhea is a frequent feature of pediatric COVID-19 and is associated with increased systemic inflammation, which is related to the local mesenteric fat inflammatory response, confirming the implication of the gut not only in multisystem inflammatory syndrome but also in the acute phase of the infection.

Nutritional Status and Diarrhea in Toddlers Aged 0 – 59 Months

Background: Diarrhea is one of the diseases that ranks in the top ten diseases in Depok City. Data from the Depok City Health Service (2020) states that diarrhea in toddlers is still above 5%. There are various factors (multifactor) related to diarrhea disease, one of which is nutritional status. Purposes: Our study aims to analyze the relationship between nutritional status and diarrhea in toddlers in the Pancoran Mas District Health Center. Methods: We used an observational analytic method with a cross-sectional approach on 396 toddlers aged 0 – 59 months. This research was conducted from October 2021 – March 2022. The type of data in this study is secondary data taken through medical records and analyzed using the chi-square test. Result: The prevalence of low-poor nutritional status was 38,9%, the prevalence of diarrhea was 21,2%, and the results of the chi-square analysis between diarrhea and nutritional status obtained p value = 0.334. Conclusion: Incidence of diarrhea in Depok City is still relatively large. There are many other factors that associated with the incidence of diarrhea such as personal hygiene, environmental hygiene and various other factors.

Diarrheal disease, sanitation, and culture in India

The health burden of childhood diarrhea in India has been a major public health concern. This study examines the role of the individualism-collectivism dichotomy in the prevalence of diarrhea in children under the age of five in India. Using subnational data on rice suitability to measure collectivism, we provide evidence that collectivism is negatively associated with the prevalence of childhood diarrhea across 618 Indian districts. We find that the mechanism works through improvements in water and sanitation. Collectivism propagates values of interdependence, cooperation and collective action which increases safe water and sanitation practices, thereby reducing the prevalence of diarrhea in children.

Equity in access to safely managed sanitation and prevalence of diarrheal diseases in Bangladesh: a national and sub-national analysis

BackgroundIn Bangladesh, safely managed sanitation (SMS) coverage is low, and diarrheal disease is a significant health problem. This study estimated the inequality in access to SMS facilities at the national and sub-national levels and assessed the prevalence of diarrheal diseases in connection with these improved facilities.MethodsData were extracted from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, conducted during 2017–2018. SMS was defined as using an improved sanitation facility, which designed to hygienically separate excreta from human contact and include the use of a flush toilet connected to piped sewer system, septic tank, ventilated improved pit latrine, pit latrine with a slab, and composting toilet. The slope index of inequality (SII) and multi-level regression models were used for inequality and risk factors of SMS respectively.ResultsThe national coverage of SMS was 44.0% (45.3% and 43.5% in urban and rural areas, respectively). At the sub-national level, the lowest and highest coverage of SMS was observed in Mymensingh (32.9%) and Chittagong (54.1%) divisions, respectively. The national level SII indicated that wealthy households had access to higher SMS by 60.8 percentage points than poor households. Additionally, greater inequality was observed in rural areas, which was 71.9 percentage points higher in the richest households than in the poorest households. The coverage gap between the rich and poor was highest in the Sylhet division (85.3 percentage points higher in rich than in poor) and lowest in Dhaka (34.9 percentage points). Old and highly educated household heads and richest households had better access to higher levels of adequate sanitation. After adjusting for confounding variables, the prevalence of diarrheal disease was 14.0% lower in the SMS user group than in their counterparts.ConclusionSubstantial inequalities in access to SMS exist at both national and sub-national levels of Bangladesh, with the prevalence of diarrhea being lower among SMS users. These findings may help to prioritize resources for reducing inequality and expanding the coverage of improved sanitation in Bangladesh.

Childhood Diarrhea Prevalence and Uptake of Oral Rehydration Solution and Zinc Treatment in Nigeria.

Given the disproportionate burden of childhood diarrhea deaths in Nigeria, this study assessed the prevalence and predictors of the disease and the uptake of ORS and zinc supplementation as treatments in a population-based national survey. Cross-sectional data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey were used. A log-Poisson regression was used to estimate the relative risks (RR) for the individual-level predictors of childhood diarrhea and the uptake of ORS and zinc treatments. A total of 30,713 children under 5 years of age were included in the survey. The period prevalence of reported diarrhea in the last two weeks was 12.9% (95% CI: 12.5%, 13.3%). Among the children with diarrhea, the proportion who received ORS was 39.7% (95% CI:38.2%, 41.3%), while 29.1% of them received zinc supplements (95% CI:27.7%, 30.5%), and 21.8% of them received both the ORS and zinc treatments as recommended. Children under 6 months of age with diarrhea had a significantly lower likelihood of being given ORS or zinc when they were compared to the older children. The institutional delivery of them, maternal employment, and improved water sources were also independent predictors of the uptake of ORS and zinc treatments for diarrhea (p-values &lt; 0.05). Interventions to prevent childhood diarrhea and improve the coverage of ORS and zinc treatments may reduce the large burden of childhood diarrhea deaths in Nigeria.

Efficacy of neomycin dosing regimens for treating enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli-related post-weaning diarrhoea in a Danish nursery pig herd not using medicinal zinc oxide

Neomycin is a concentration-dependant aminoglycoside antimicrobial used to treat enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)-related post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) in pigs. The objective was to compare the efficacy of neomycin administered in a single high dose (50,000 IU/kg) and a standard dose and frequency (25,000 IU/kg daily for 3 consecutive days) in reducing the number of pigs with clinical PWD. We also aimed to evaluate the development of antimicrobial resistance in E. coli following neomycin treatment. The study was performed in a Danish herd not using medicinal zinc oxide and experiencing outbreaks of PWD caused by ETEC in the first week after weaning. Pigs from six batches with perianal faecal staining on days 4–6 after weaning and a faecal score of 3–4 were ear tagged and treated with neomycin. Pens were randomly assigned to a treatment group before inclusion. A total of 772 pigs (471 in the control group and 301 in the experimental group) were included and treated orally. The apparent prevalence of diarrhoea on the first day of inclusion across six batches (n = 1,875) was 27%. The efficacy of the neomycin treatment strategy was 86% for the control group and 91% for the single high-dose group (p = 0.043), and the mean percentage (standard deviation (sd)) of haemolytic E. coli-like colonies was 12% (26) and 26% (37) (p < 0.001), respectively. Neomycin resistance did not differ between groups. Before treatment, all analysed isolates were identified as ETEC (n = 142), while after treatment, 91% were identified as ETEC (n = 69) and 9% (n = 7) as non-ETEC E. coli (without fimbria or toxins). A higher cure rate in the single high-dose group suggests that ETEC-related PWD can be treated with a single high dose of 50,000 IU/kg of neomycin, thereby reducing antimicrobial use by 33% compared to the standard treatment of 25,000 IU/kg for 3 consecutive days. The study indicated a higher number of haemolytic E. coli in the single high-dose group after treatment, but no evidence of increased neomycin resistance in coliforms was observed compared to the standard treatment.

Effect of β-Mannanase Addition during Whole Pigs Fattening on Production Yields and Intestinal Health

The presence of β-mannans in feed can produce a futile and chronic immune stimulation in fattening pigs. In this trial, a 1-4-endo-D-β-mannanase was added to the feed (HC) during growth and fattening (0.03% of Hemicell HT) and physical performance and pathological data were recorded, and intestinal integrity and immune activation were studied by molecular biomarkers, compared to a control group (CON). The treatment diet was reduced in energy content by 40 Kcal/kg NE. From each group, 113 and 112 animals housed in 8 pens were individually identified and weighed three times: at 7th, 63rd and 116th days in feed. The FCR was calculated for groups of two pens and ADG individually. There was no difference in ADG (CON = 0.836, HC = 0.818) nor in FCR between groups (p = 0.486). During growth, there was a higher frequency of normal feces in HC and there were also no differences in the frequency of gastric lesions. A significant increase in Claudin, Occludin, IFN-γ and IL8 was observed in the CON in feces and a significant decrease in IL-6 in HC. In tissues, there were differences for IL-12p40, TNF-alpha in jejunum (increased CON) and TGF-β in ileum and jejunum, (decreased HC). The economic performance was EUR 4.7 better in the treated group. In conclusion, the addition of 1-4-endo-D-β--mannanase to the feed with a 1.6% reduction in net energy compared to the control, allowed the animals to perform as well as the animals on the higher energy diet, with lower prevalence of diarrhea.

Mothers’/caregivers’ knowledge on aetiology, prevention and management of acute diarrhoea among children under 5 years in Engela District, Namibia

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Background. Childhood diarrhoea remains a public health problem and is among the leading killers globally of children under 5 years. Even though most childhood diarrhoea episodes are mild, episodes can result in severe loss of fluids and dehydration, leading to severe health-related consequences and death. Most diarrhoea episodes in children under 5 are treated at home by parents/caregivers; therefore, their knowledge about the nutrition and management of diarrhoea in children is critically important.&#x0D; Objective. To assess mothers’/caregivers’ knowledge of the aetiology, prevention and management of acute diarrhoea among children aged under 5 years with diarrhoea, in Ohangwena Region, Namibia.Method. A cross-sectional, non-interventional study was carried out from 17 January 2019 to 9 March 2019. A structured questionnaire was administered through face-to-face interviews. T-tests and logistic regression were applied to determine the factors associated with knowledge.&#x0D; Results. A total of 530 mothers/caregivers of children under 5 years responded to the study questionnaire. Of these, 29.4% were aged between 18 and 30 years, 79.8% were from rural areas, 46.4% had primary education and 16% were illiterate, 59.9% were single, 68.9% had access to information (owned a radio), and 93.2% had a low income of ~NAD200 - 2 000 per month. The majority, 64%, were categorised as having inadequate knowledge on the prevention and management of diarrhoea. In addition, significant associations were observed between knowledge and gender of mothers/caregivers, residential area, marital status, access to information and prevalence of diarrhoea (p&lt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion. This study identified the need to develop and intensify strategies that may improve mothers’/caregivers’ knowledge, such as health education, improved literacy and women’s empowerment for them to be able to prevent and manage diarrhoea among children under 5 years old.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Mothers’/caregivers’ knowledge on aetiology, prevention and management of acute diarrhoea among children under 5 years in Engela District, Namibia

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Background. Childhood diarrhoea remains a public health problem and is among the leading killers globally of children under 5 years. Even though most childhood diarrhoea episodes are mild, episodes can result in severe loss of fluids and dehydration, leading to severe health-related consequences and death. Most diarrhoea episodes in children under 5 are treated at home by parents/caregivers; therefore, their knowledge about the nutrition and management of diarrhoea in children is critically important.&#x0D; Objective. To assess mothers’/caregivers’ knowledge of the aetiology, prevention and management of acute diarrhoea among children aged under 5 years with diarrhoea, in Ohangwena Region, Namibia.Method. A cross-sectional, non-interventional study was carried out from 17 January 2019 to 9 March 2019. A structured questionnaire was administered through face-to-face interviews. T-tests and logistic regression were applied to determine the factors associated with knowledge.&#x0D; Results. A total of 530 mothers/caregivers of children under 5 years responded to the study questionnaire. Of these, 29.4% were aged between 18 and 30 years, 79.8% were from rural areas, 46.4% had primary education and 16% were illiterate, 59.9% were single, 68.9% had access to information (owned a radio), and 93.2% had a low income of ~NAD200 - 2 000 per month. The majority, 64%, were categorised as having inadequate knowledge on the prevention and management of diarrhoea. In addition, significant associations were observed between knowledge and gender of mothers/caregivers, residential area, marital status, access to information and prevalence of diarrhoea (p&lt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion. This study identified the need to develop and intensify strategies that may improve mothers’/caregivers’ knowledge, such as health education, improved literacy and women’s empowerment for them to be able to prevent and manage diarrhoea among children under 5 years old.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;