Diarrhea remains major cause of childhood morbidity, mortality

PESHAWAR: Diarrhea remains a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in developing countries and unfortunately despite simple treatment guidelines 53,300 children die of diarrhea each year in the country.

Despite decades of concerted efforts and special programs diarrhea is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in Pakistan. Health experts claim that there have been considerable improvements with the advent of oral rehydration salts (ORS) because diarrhea causes a rapid loss of body fluids it leaves children continually at risk of dehydration.

If left untreated dehydration caused by severe diarrhea is a major cause of morbidity among young children.

This condition can be easily treated with oral rehydration therapy (ORT) a simple solution prepared by mixing water with a commercially prepared packet of oral rehydration salts or by making a homemade mixture of sugar salt and water.

The prevalence of diarrhea was reported to be 15 percent in 1990-91 and 22 percent in 2006-07 although diarrhea prevalence varies seasonally.

The prevalence of diarrhea is highest among children age 6-11 months (35 percent) a span during which solid foods are first introduced into the child’s diet. This period is believed to be associated with increased exposure to illness as a result of weaning and the immature immune systems of children in this age group.

Diarrhea prevalence is higher among households using a non improved source of drinking water than among households using an improved source.

According to Pakistan Demographic & Health Survey 2012 13 (PDHS) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has the highest prevalence of diarrhea (28 percent) followed by Sindh (23 percent) and Punjab (22 percent) the lowest proportion is in Balochistan (12 percent).

Health Experts suggest that ORT besides including zinc which is not a substitute for ORT but when taken in addition to it can reduce the severity and duration of diarrhea.

The government’s standard diarrhea case management strategy includes ORT counseling on continued feeding (preferably breast feeding) and zinc tablets provided through health service outlets.

ORT services have been established in all hospitals primary health care centers, lady health worker programs and non government health centers throughout the country.

Health facilities and community health volunteers are the primary health providers with responsibility for treating diarrhea with ORS and zinc supplementation. (APP)