Slum Area Of Kolkata Research Articles

A Study on Causes and Pattern of School Drop Out in A Slum Area of Kolkata, India in 2024

Introduction: School drop outs are very common in children, especially in developing countries, and may occur due to many causes. Social causes and other diseases like infections and other are important causes of drop out in school life across the world. Materials and methods: - We assessed various causes of school drop out by clinic-based study. Results: - We have also recorded here similar findings. Poverty was leading cause of school drop out followed by other social causes and health issues. Conclusion: - The important social as well as medical causes of school drop out should be looked into and efforts should be made to mitigate these contributing factors, in order to foster education of children.

A study on the perceived impact of indoor air pollution in a slum area of Kolkata, West Bengal

BACKGROUND: Indoor air pollution is one of the most serious environmental health concerns in today's times.OBJECTIVES: The objective is to find out the sources and health effects of indoor air pollution as well as assess the housing conditions among residents of a slum area in Kolkata.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 220 households in a slum area of Kolkata. Data were collected using a predesigned, pretested, structured schedule by face-to-face interview and observation technique and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.RESULTS: About 56.8% of the study population complained of having at least one symptom of indoor air pollution. Factors associated with three or more symptoms were female gender, lower-middle socioeconomic class, absence of dampness, exposure to tobacco smoke, use of mosquito repellent, and presence of kitchen in the living room.CONCLUSION: The slum population should be educated about the major associated factors of indoor air pollution found in our study.

A cross-sectional study on assessment of perceived threat to cervical cancer using health belief model among women in a slum area of Kolkata.

BACKGROUND:Despite the implementation of various cervical cancer preventive strategies by the Government of India, there is a scarcity of knowledge and consequent low utilization of cervical cancer screening services among women in India. This contributes to the burden of cervical cancer among Indian women. This study was conducted to assess perceived threat-regarding cervical cancer among women and to identify its explanatory factors in a slum area of Kolkata.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 192 adult women from May to September 2019 in Kolkata. The multistage sampling technique was used using a structured schedule. Perceived threat to cervical cancer was measured using a composite score including perceived susceptibility and perceived severity constructs of the health belief model. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression model using SPSS software version 16.RESULTS:Overall, 22.9% of the participants had satisfactory levels of perceived threat to cervical cancer. Statistically significant association was found between unsatisfactory levels of perceived threat with reproductive age group (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.01; P = 0.036), education level up to primary (AOR = 2.89; P = 0.026), and unsatisfactory knowledge (AOR = 2.94; P < 0.001) among respondents. The multivariable regression model was of good fit.CONCLUSION:The study population had very unsatisfactory levels of perceived threat to cervical cancer. Thus, to increase cervical cancer screening uptake among women, it is necessary to tailor robust behavior change communication campaigns to increase the perception of susceptibility and severity, thereby increasing the perception of threat of cervical cancer among women.

A Study on the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards Malaria in Urban Slum Area of Kolkata

Background: Malaria is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases worldwide and India has fourth highest number of malaria cases and deaths in the world. Prevention of the disease through better knowledge and awareness is the appropriate way to keep the disease away and remain healthy. Thus, the present study was aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding malaria among residents of urban slum area of Kolkata.

Burden of malnutrition among school-going children in a slum area of Kolkata: A matter of concern

Background:Malnutrition is still a great barrier to the growth and development of children, especially in India. Children from the underprivileged sections of the society like slum children are more vulnerable to both undernutrition and overnutrition. This study aimed to estimate the magnitude of malnutrition among school-going children in a slum area of Kolkata and to elicit the association of nutritional status with parental education.Methods:A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from November 2017 to May 2018 among 508 school-going children of 6 years to 19 years of age in slums of Chetla, Kolkata. Out of three coeducation high schools catering to those children, two schools were randomly selected. 254 participants from each school were selected using systematic random sampling. Students, unwilling to participate and/or whose parents denied providing informed written consent were excluded. After the interview by a predesigned, pretested schedule, their anthropometric examination was conducted.Results:Prevalence of stunting and severe stunting was present in 9.4% and 1.2% of subjects whereas the prevalence of thinness was 23.6% among them. The prevalence of overnutrition was 11%. Boys are more stunted (OR = 2.13, P = 0.013) and thin (OR = 1.73, P = 0.011) than girls. Poor parental education was significantly associated with both undernourishment (stunting and thinness) as well as overweight and obesity.Conclusion:Substantial burden of double malnutrition was observed among school-going slum children. Parental education had an important role to prevent malnutrition of their children. Thus, periodic growth monitoring with the strengthening of the Mid-Day Meal program and awareness generation campaigns regarding malnutrition among parents of slum children are highly needed.

Assessment of Nutritional Status of Under-5 Children in A Slum of Kolkata, West Bengal: A Community Based Study

Background: The nutritional status of under-5 children in slums is an important health indicator for assessing the health status of entire population. Reduction in malnutrition is a Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to improve child welfare. The study was conducted to assess the nutritional status of under-5 children in a slum of Kolkata and its associated factors.Materials and Methods: It was an observational, cross-sectional study among under-5 children in a slum area of Kolkata, West Bengal, India to determine nutritional status and its determinants using WHO Z-score and Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF). A total of 129 under-5 children were included by simple random sampling. Data entry was done in SPSS. All ethical issues were addressed.Results: Out of total 129 children assessed, 31.8% were found to have anthropometric failure using CIAF. However, with standard anthropometric indices such as weight-for-age, weight-for-height, height-for-age, and mid upper arm circumference,17.8% were underweight, 9.3% were wasted, 16.3% were stunted and 14% were undernourished respectively. About 40.3% children had morbidity within last 2 weeks (acute respiratory infection 25.6%, diarrhoea 3.9%, fever 10.9%). Literacy of mother [AOR-3.79 (1.39-10.33)], exclusive breast feeding [AOR-6.1 (1.80-8.79)], personal hygienic practice [AOR-3.17 (1.02-10.02)] and morbidity profile [AOR-2.95 (1.13-7.72)] were significantly associated with nutritional status.Conclusion:The study identifies maternal education and care and infant and child feeding practices to have a bearing on the nutritional status of the children. Further large scale studies are warranted to determine the alleviation in the situation after addressing these factors.

How Personal Hygiene Predicts Nutritional Status and Morbidity Profile? A School Based Study among Adolescent Girls in a Slum Area of Kolkata

How Personal Hygiene Predicts Nutritional Status and Morbidity Profile? A School Based Study among Adolescent Girls in a Slum Area of Kolkata

Impact of health education regarding personal hygiene and dietary habits on morbidity profile of students: an intervention study in a government secondary school in a slum area of Kolkata

Background: Most of the morbidities among school children are preventable by ensuring healthy practices regarding personal hygiene and diet. The current study aimed to assess effectiveness of a health education programme regarding personal hygiene and diet in improving the morbidity profile of the adolescent girls in an urban slum. Methods: A quasi experimental study was conducted in two Government secondary schools located in a slum area of Kolkata. The study consisted of three steps. First a baseline survey with the help of a predesigned pretested questionnaire and checklist was done to find out the socio-demographic information and existing knowledge, attitude, practice of personal hygiene and dietary habits of the students. Morbidity profile of the children was also assessed. This was followed by an intervention phase of 6 months during which weekly lecture and demonstration classes were taken in the study school. Second step was reassessment of morbidities by clinical examination at post intervention. Third step was to follow them for another 3 months to reassess their morbidities. Results: There was statistically significant decrease in the prevalence of morbidities in study school from the pre-test level to post-test level as compared to the control school, but the effect was not sustained at follow up as shown by increase in mean morbidity score at 9 months follow up than 6 months post-intervention level in the study school. Conclusions: Sustained behavioral change programme regarding proper practice of personal hygiene and diet could significantly decrease the prevalence of major morbidities encountered in adolescent girl students.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of personal hygiene and its predictors: A school-based study among adolescent girls in an urban slum

Background: Personal hygiene plays a pivotal role in maintaining proper health. Adolescent girls being the future mothers are the subjects to be considered for improvement of personal hygiene and dietary habits. Objectives: The study was conducted to assess the status of knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP) of personal hygiene, dietary habits and to find out its predictors among school going adolescent girls in a slum area of Kolkata. Materials and Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a Government Secondary Girls’ school situated in a slum area of Kolkata. A total of 327 adolescent girls of Class V-VIII were included by complete enumeration method and interviewed with a predesigned, pretested questionnaire along with a checklist to assess KAP of personal hygiene and dietary habits after taking informed consent from their guardians. Results: The mean age of the participants was 12.17 ± 1.255 years. Regarding the knowledge of personal hygiene and dietary habits, majority or near majority had correct knowledge of proper care of hair (94.8%), covering of mouth during coughing or sneezing (43.43%), care of nails (46.79%), hand washing (66.36%), necessity of daily bathing (64.53%), and wearing clean clothes (62.39%). Most of them had proper attitude to care of hair (96.9%), covering of mouth during coughing or sneezing (59.3%), cleansing of mouth after feeding (47.4%), hand washing (90.8%), necessity of daily bathing (62.7%), and daily changing of undergarments (60.9%). However, these knowledge and attitude were not reflected in their practices. Multivariate analyses revealed religion, socioeconomic status, type of family and parental education were significant predictors of status of personal hygiene. Conclusion: Continuous health education and behavioral change communication programs are needed to lift up the proper practices of basic personal hygiene of adolescent girls to bring them up to a healthy society.

Composite index of anthropometric failure and its important correlates: a study among under-5 children in a slum of Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Background: In India, undernutrition remains a major public health problem despite several national programs targeting vulnerable groups, especially children. Objectives: To assess the nutritional status and morbidity profile of under-5 children and to elicit the explanatory and contextual factors of this malady. Materials and Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among under-5 children in a slum area of Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Anthropometric measurements were made following standard operative procedures and recall period of morbidity profile of last 2 weeks was recorded. Results: Of total 100 under-5 children assessed, the mean (standard deviation) of the sample was 23.52 (15.65) months. About 55% children were found to have anthropometric failure using composite index of anthropometric failure. However, with standard anthropometric indices such as weight for age, weight for height, height for age, and mid upper arm circumference prevalence of malnutrition were 42% (underweight), 30% (wasting), 28% (stunting), and 48% (undernutrition), respectively. About 48% children had some kind of morbidity of which acute respiratory infection accounted for 9%, diarrhea 11%, fever 9%, and skin infection 6%. Age [OR = 5.17 (2.09–12.76)], family type [OR = 4.11 (1.77–9.49)], literacy of mother [OR = 15.79 (5.98–42.35)], birth weight [OR = 4.2 (1.74–10.13)], birth order [OR = 5.25 (1.41–19.51)], and morbidity profile [OR = 6.35 (2.62–15.36)] are significantly associated with nutritional status. Conclusion: Accelerating the reduction in under-5 mortality is possible by expanding effective preventive and curative interventions that target the main causes of undernutrition. All efforts must be made to improve the nutritional status of the children. This will in the long run help in making this nation healthier, stronger, and more prosperous.

An assessment of nutritional status of children aged 0-14 years in a slum area of Kolkata

Introduction: Under-nutrition contributes to more than one-third of all deaths in children. It does this by diminishing children's immunity and making illness more dangerous. The primary aim of the study is to assess the nutritional status of children aged from 0 to 14 years in a slum area of Kolkata and secondary aim is to determine the prevalence of under-nutrition and its association with various risk factors among the study population. Materials and Methods: Community-based cross-sectional analytical study was carried out in urban slum of Chetla, Kolkata involving children of age group (0-14 years) from February to May 2012. All children (120) were examined clinically; their anthropometric measurements such as weight, height, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) were taken using the standard operating procedures, after obtaining verbal consent from their parents with the help of a predesigned and pre-tested schedule. The anthropometric data was analyzed using World Health Organization Anthro and Anthro Plus Softwares. Results: The overall prevalence of under-nutrition among the study population was found to be 54 (45%). Among infants 9 (25%) were underweight, 3 (8.3%) were stunted, 22 (61.1%) were wasted and 23 (63.9%) showed thinness. Among 1-5 years aged children, 18 (30.5%) were underweight, 17 (28.8%) were stunted, 17 (28.8%) were wasted, 12 (20.3%) had MUAC 12.5-13.5 cm and 17 (28.8%) showed thinness. Among 5-14 years aged children, 11 (44%) were underweight, 10 (40%) were stunted and 12 (48%) showed thinness. Conclusion: The nutritional status of children in Chetla slum is not satisfactory in spite of proper immunization coverage and institutional deliveries. Special emphasis should be given for promotion of nutritional education to the mothers.

Effectiveness of an educational intervention on personal hygiene among school children in slum area of Kolkata, India

Background: Personal hygiene is the practice of maintaining cleanliness of the body. Primary school days are the best time to learn healthful habits and practice them, because as the child grows older, these habits become permanent. We intended to find out the existing level of knowledge, attitude and practice of personal hygiene and effectiveness of educational intervention among primary school children in a slum area of Kolkata. Methods: A quasi-experimental, controlled educational interventional study was conducted in two Bengali medium primary schools situated in area under service jurisdiction of Urban Health Centre-Chetla, Kolkata. During pre intervention phase, collection of socio-demographic information and assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of personal hygiene of the students were done by pre designed pretested questionnaire and checklist. During the 6-month intervention in the study school lecture and demonstration on personal hygiene was done. Then post-testing in both the schools followed. Then personal hygiene education in the control school was imparted once and follow up of both the schools 3 months afterwards was done. Results: There was significant improvement in the knowledge, attitude and practice level in study school as compared to the control school with educational intervention, but with a declining trend in study school during follow up visit. Parental literacy, occupation and per capita monthly family income were important sociodemographic attributes. Conclusions: Sustained health education programme on personal hygiene with greater involvement of parents/ guardians may yield maximum benefit for the students.

A comparative study on socio-demographic profile, working environment and morbidity profile among shoemakers and non shoemakers in a slum area of Kolkata

Shoemakers and their health have attracted less attention than the shoes themselves. An observational descriptive study with community based cross sectional design was undertaken at slum area of urban field practice area of Medical College, Kolkata for total duration of 6 months. 160 shoemakers from 34 workshops were taken and compared with 112 non shoemakers from 34 families were interviewed and examined. Eyestrain, peripheral neuropathy, musculo-skeletal symptoms were more prevalent among shoemakers. Appropriate advice was given regarding their health condition.

5 year efficacy of a bivalent killed whole-cell oral cholera vaccine in Kolkata, India: a cluster-randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Efficacy and safety of a two-dose regimen of bivalent killed whole-cell oral cholera vaccine (Shantha Biotechnics, Hyderabad, India) to 3 years is established, but long-term efficacy is not. We aimed to assess protective efficacy up to 5 years in a slum area of Kolkata, India. In our double-blind, cluster-randomised, placebo-controlled trial, we assessed incidence of cholera in non-pregnant individuals older than 1 year residing in 3933 dwellings (clusters) in Kolkata, India. We randomly allocated participants, by dwelling, to receive two oral doses of modified killed bivalent whole-cell cholera vaccine or heat-killed Escherichia coli K12 placebo, 14 days apart. Randomisation was done by use of a computer-generated sequence in blocks of four. The primary endpoint was prevention of episodes of culture-confirmed Vibrio cholerae O1 diarrhoea severe enough for patients to seek treatment in a health-care facility. We identified culture-confirmed cholera cases among participants seeking treatment for diarrhoea at a study clinic or government hospital between 14 days and 1825 days after receipt of the second dose. We assessed vaccine protection in a per-protocol population of participants who had completely ingested two doses of assigned study treatment. 69 of 31 932 recipients of vaccine and 219 of 34 968 recipients of placebo developed cholera during 5 year follow-up (incidence 2·2 per 1000 in the vaccine group and 6·3 per 1000 in the placebo group). Cumulative protective efficacy of the vaccine at 5 years was 65% (95% CI 52-74; p<0·0001), and point estimates by year of follow-up suggested no evidence of decline in protective efficacy. Sustained protection for 5 years at the level we reported has not been noted previously with other oral cholera vaccines. Established long-term efficacy of this vaccine could assist policy makers formulate rational vaccination strategies to reduce overall cholera burden in endemic settings. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the governments of South Korea and Sweden.

A Follow-up Study on the Performance, Outcome and present status of patients treated Under ‘RNTCP’ in a slum area of Kolkata

Background: Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) was introduced in India in 1993, as a pilot project but the full-fledged programme was started in 1997. Very few long-term follow-up studies of patients at one year after completing treatment under DOTS are available. Methodology: A cross sectional observational study was done to assess the performance and treatment outcome of patients under RNTCP and to determine the status of the tuberculosis (TB) patients after one year of completion of treatment under RNTCP. Data were collected by review of records from TB patients registered at the DOTS centre of TB Unit, Urban Health Centre, Chetla, Kolkata and subsequently followed up at their home. Statistical Analysis was done by proportions and Chi-square test. Results: Outcome of 82 registered patients during the study period at the end of completion of their treatment was: treatment success (cured plus treatment completed)- 90.2%, default- 6.1%, death- 2.4% and treatment failture-1.2%. On follow-up at one year, only 60 (73.2%) patients were traced. The follow-up status of 60 patients revealed that all patients were asymptomatic and had no history of relapsed/death. Conclusion: Treatment under RNTCP was effective as revealed by the results at one year follow-up.

Domestic violence among ever married women of reproductive age group in a slum area of Kolkata

Domestic violence has serious impact on women's health and well-being. A nationwide survey conducted in India observed that 37.2% of women experienced violence after marriage. To assess the prevalence of domestic violence among the ever married women in reproductive age group and to find out the types of domestic violence and factors associated with it. The study was a community based cross-sectional study, conducted in a slum area of Kolkata. Overall prevalence of domestic violence was 54%, of which 41.9% suffered from both current and lifetime physical and psychological violence. Presence of property, higher per capita income and social support were protective factors against domestic violence, whereas alcohol addiction and multiple sex partners were the important contributory factors for it. The study recommended more social support, awareness and income generation for women in the slum areas.

Health status of workers engaged in the small-scale garment industry: How healthy are they?

Though India is now considered a major power and is turning into a developed country from a developing country, a large section of its population still belong to the poorest of the poor. In developing countries, great efforts are directed towards the advancement of small-scale industries as these are considered the engine for their economic growth. According to WHO, over 1000 million people worldwide are employed in small-scale industries.(1) The ‘garment’ industry of India is one such industry. It is an unorganized sector, mostly run by private establishments. It provides employment for both men and women, mainly those from the lower socioeconomic classes. The employees of this industry hardly ever benefit from occupational health-and-safety provisions. As a result their health suffers.(1) Studies show that musculoskeletal problems, diseases of the respiratory system and eye, accidents, injuries, skin diseases, stress, insomnia, etc. are all common among these workers. The ill health is compounded by various socioeconomic factors such as poverty, lack of education, poor working conditions, excess working hours, and poor diet.(2–4) Against this background, and because no such study has been carried out in this part of the country to date, we conducted this study among workers employed in the ‘garment’ industry; we had the following objectives: To find out the morbidity profile of the workers with special reference to musculoskeletal disorders. To assess the relationship of socio-demographic and occupational factors with the musculoskeletal disorders. To assess the felt needs of these workers. Materials and Methods This was a community-based cross-sectional study carried out in a slum area of Kolkata. The study was conducted from September 2008 - November 2008. There are three main areas in the slum where almost all those engaged in the small-scale garment industry reside. One such area was chosen by simple random sampling. A complete enumeration of all workers in the chosen area was done. There were one hundred and twelve such workers who were identified and all of them consented to participate in the study. The subjects were then interviewed using a predesigned, pre-tested, semi structured questionnaire that had been translated into the local language; the questionnaire collected data on socioeconomic conditions, occupational history, health problems. The felt needs of the workers were obtained from two Focus Group Discussions in each of which 9 workers participated. The researchers organized the group discussions after assuring confidentiality to the participants. Efforts were made to elicit the problems faced by them at their place of work, dealings with their employer and the changes they would like for a better and conducive working environment.

A study on health status of women engaged in a home-based "Papad-making" industry in a slum area of Kolkata

Background:The ‘papad-making’ industries of India have provided ample opportunity of employment for the women workers of low socio-economic class although their problems are not much explored. In this study an attempt had been made for the same.Aims:1. To find out the health status of the women. 2. To find out the factors, in the working conditions, influencing their health status. 3. To assess their felt needs.Settings:A slum area of Kolkata.Design:A cross-sectional, descriptive type of observational study.Methods and Materials:The slum was chosen by random sampling method. Following this, complete enumeration method was adopted. Data were collected by interview and clinical examination of the women engaged in this occupation with a predesigned and pretested schedule.Statistical Analysis:Proportions and Chi-square test.Results:77.5% were in the reproductive age group and none were below 14 years. Most of them belonged to poor socioeconomic status. Sixty per cent were in this occupation for more than 10 years and they spent 5 hours for this work daily over and above their household job. Musculoskeletal problem was their commonest health problem. Pallor, angular stomatitis, pedal edema, chronic energy deficiency were found on examination. Personal hygienic measures taken were far from satisfactory. A focus group discussion revealed their health and family problems, dissatisfaction about their working conditions and wage. Other needs identified were home visits for their health care, free medicines and health education.Conclusion:Need exists for a participatory occupational health programme for this working population.

Patterns of Healthcare Use for Diarrhoea at Sites in Six Countries

There is an important need for epidemiological studies on enteric diseases for which vaccines are available or under development, including shigellosis, typhoid fever, cholera, and rotavirus diarrhoea. Traditionally, the epidemiology of diarrhoeal diseases has been explored in longitudinal, prospective community-based surveys. As long as families can be reached at home and interviews are carefully conducted, prospective community-based studies provide a picture of the spectrum of disease ranging from mild to severe; however, this type of study is increasingly seen as costly and logistically difficult, especially in large populations. For this reason, hospital-based or clinic-based surveillance has been advocated as a more affordable method of monitoring the epidemiology of diarrhoeal disease. It is thought that health facility-based surveillance is likely to provide information on more severe disease, but it is not known to what extent families with diarrhoea make use of local healthcare providers and how this varies in different locations. These limitations of health facility-based surveillance have led to the development of different types of studies that will allow investigators to understand local patterns of healthcare use for diarrhoeal disease, including the proportion of individuals with diarrhoea who will seek care at a health facility. Six papers in this issue of the Journal report on a total of eight studies that explore patterns of use of traditional and non-traditional healthcare services when a family member has diarrhoea. The target populations for these studies were in the range of 50,000 to 500,000. Altogether, the papers report on three types of studies: a one-time census survey of all households in the study area; a rapid cluster survey of a limited number of representative households; and an anthropological interview of selected families and healthcare practitioners. In the census survey, investigators visit all households in the study population once. The census survey is designed to enumerate the population, to record episodes of diarrhoea in the previous month, and to learn where families sought treatment for diarrhoea. Two census surveys are reported in this issue, one from a slum area of Kolkata, India (1) and one from a slum area of Jakarta, Indonesia (2). Both of these studies were conducted in planning for pilot projects for vaccination against either cholera or typhoid. Healthcare-use patterns were analyzed for those individuals with diarrhoea in the month preceding the census survey--428 (0.7%) of 57,099 persons in Kolkata, India and 8,074 (5%) of 160,261 persons in Jakarta, Indonesia. The proportion of individuals reporting diarrhoea in Kolkata was lower because the census survey was conducted in the low-prevalence season, whereas the Jakarta survey was carried out during the peak diarrhoea season. The rapid cluster survey uses a simple sampling method (3) to select a small but reasonably representative sample of households for interview to assess healthcare-use patterns for diarrhoea. A rapid cluster survey questionnaire developed by the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) for proposed Shigella disease-burden study sites is published in this issue as an annex to the study from China (4). The questionnaire asks about healthcare use for family members who had diarrhoea in the previous month and, where no family member has experienced diarrrhoea in the past month, the respondent is asked how the family would respond to a hypothetical vignette concerning diarrhoea. Three rapid cluster surveys using the IVI questionnaire are reported in this issue, and these were conducted in China (4), Thailand (5), and Viet Nam (6). Another rapid cluster survey questionnaire has been developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for proposed rotavirus disease-burden study sites (7). Two rapid cluster surveys using the WHO questionnaire are reported in this issue, one from a rural district and one from an urban district in Ghana (8). …