SOCIAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF ACUTE DIARRHEA IN CHILDREN AGED 2-6 YEARS

Abstract

Object: The goal of this study was to see association between socio-demographic characteristics and acute diarrhea in children treated in the outpatient department.
Methodology: This was a case control study, conducted at Outpatient department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad from July 2020 to July 2021. A total of 270 patients were selected for the study, having age between 2-6 years. Among them, 107 were the cases of acute diarrhea while 163 were selected as normal control. A structured questionnaire was prepared for analysis of the data.
Results: Regarding the child's age, mother's employment position, and kacha type of housing, there was a statistically significant correlation between cases (with diarrhea) and controls (without diarrhea) (p<0.001). There was also a statistically significant link between rural living and the absence of diarrhea (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Childhood diarrhea risk factors vary by population, with certain factors being more relevant than others in specific circumstances. Children aged 2-3 years had a higher risk of diarrhea than children aged 4-6 years. Similarly, cases of acute diarrhea in infants have been linked to mothers' employment status and living in a city.
Keywords: Children, acute diarrhea, socio-demographic factors.