Epidemiologic correlates of diarrhea in a slum community in Varanasi

Abstract

A study of diarrheal diseases in children below the age of five years was carried out in a slum area of Varanasi by weekly door-to-door visits. Prevalence of diarrhea was observed to be 47.2 per cent. A significant association was observed with the occupation of parents and methods of drawing water from stored water. Literacy status of father and family size were found to have no such association. Parasites were isolated from 22.8 and pathogenic bacteria from 13.6 per cent of cases respectively. The presence of parasites/micro-organisms in children with diarrhea was significantly associated with feeding habits of the children, method of top feeding and personal hygiene of the mother. © 1981 Dr. K C Chaudhuri Foundation.