Diarrhoeal disease in Bangladesh: epidemiology, mortality averted and costs at a rural treatment centre

The basic epidemiology of acute diarrhoeal disease seen at a rural Bangladesh hospital in 1975 is reviewed. V. cholerae 01 was isolated from 28% of 1 964 patients. Significant differences in hospitalisation rates were observed between males and females in several age groups. Overall hospital case fa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inInternational journal of epidemiology Vol. 9; no. 4; p. 341
Main Authors Oberle, M W, Merson, M H, Islam, M S, Rahman, A S, Huber, D H, Curlin, G
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.12.1980
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Bangladesh
Child
Child, Preschool
Costs and Cost Analysis
Diarrhea - epidemiology
Diarrhea - mortality
Diarrhea - therapy
Female
Hospitals, Community - economics
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Middle Aged
Rural Health
Sex Factors
Bangladesh
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Summary:The basic epidemiology of acute diarrhoeal disease seen at a rural Bangladesh hospital in 1975 is reviewed. V. cholerae 01 was isolated from 28% of 1 964 patients. Significant differences in hospitalisation rates were observed between males and females in several age groups. Overall hospital case fatality was 9/1000 cases. We estimate that approximately a quarter to half of the hospitalised patients would have died had no rehydration therapy been available. The region's total mortality was reduced by approximately 7%-15%, at a cost of United States $0.14 per capita. Mortality from acute diarrhoeal diseases was greatly reduced for all age groups, and total mortality and mortality from all diarrhoeal diseases were particularly reduced for young children and young adults. Rehydration therapy used in a field hospital was apparently highly effective in reducing general mortality and mortality from acute diarrhoeal diseases.
ISSN:0300-5771
DOI:10.1093/ije/9.4.341