Epidemiology and Infection

Table of Contents - April 2012 - Volume 140, Issue 04  

Gastrointestinal infection

Individual and contextual determinants of the duration of diarrhoeal episodes in preschool children: a longitudinal study in an urban setting

C. A. S. T. SANTOSa1a2 c1, A. STRINAa1, L. D. AMORIMa3, B. GENSERa1a4, A. M. O. ASSISa5, M. S. PRADOa1 and M. L. BARRETOa1

a1 Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil

a2 Department of Exact Sciences, State University of Feira de Santana, Brazil

a3 Department of Statistics, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil

a4 Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

a5 School of Nutrition, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil

SUMMARY

This study investigated individual and contextual factors associated with the duration of diarrhoeal episodes in 693 young children living in a large Brazilian city who were followed-up for at least 3 months. The outcome is analysed as a continuous variable, by means of a hierarchical conceptual model organizing the factors in meaningful blocks. A total of 2397 episodes were recorded (median duration 2 days, interquartile range 1–3 days). Low percentage of households connected to the sewerage system in the neighbourhood, low family purchasing power, high agglomeration, mother aged <19 years, low zinc content in child's diet, and episode severity were significantly associated with longer duration (0·26–0·69 days more). Purchasing power effect was largely mediated by environmental conditions, characteristics of the child, and hygienic behaviour. Environmental conditions acted as a possible effect modifier, enhancing the effect on duration of diarrhoea of the child not having being vaccinated against measles or breastfed for >6 months.

(Accepted March 23 2011)

(Online publication May 19 2011)

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Correspondence:

c1 Author for correspondence: Dr C. A. S. T. Santos, Department of Exact Sciences, State University of Feira de Santana, Av. Transnordestina s/n, Feira de Santana, Brazil – 44036-900. (Email: carlosateles@yahoo.com.br)

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