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BACKGROUND: Gastroenteritis, the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, is a well-known illness that plagues over 111 million children under the age of 5 worldwide, annually.[1] It results in acute diarrhea, and often leads to severe dehydration and death. In underdeveloped countries, it is the leading cause of death among infants and children under the age of 5.[2]
[1] Bloomfield, Sally F. “The Global Burden of Hygiene Related Diseases in Relation to the Home and Community.” International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene (2009): 24.
[2] CK King, “Managing acute gastroenteritis among children: oral rehydration, maintenance, and nutritional therapy,” 2003, <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14627948 > (accessed November 20, 2011).
METHODS: While gastroenteritis has informally been studied in Peshawar, Pakistan, the flood of 2010 changed the dynamic of the Peshawar population by causing an influx of refugees and severe crowding. An ambidirectional approach was used to retrospectively determine the burden of acute gastroenteritis in the region and prospectively through questionnaires to understand the contextual and causal factors in the current epidemic of gastroenteritis among children of Peshawar Province, Pakistan.
RESULTS: It was concluded that 58% of child outpatients in summer months came in with a primary complaint of acute gastroenteritis and 24% in winter months. In addition, it was seen that various misconceptions potentially led to the propagation and recurrence or perseverance of acute gastroenteritis. Misconceptions namely included teething, diaper usage, and rehydration methods.
CONCLUSIONS: Gastroenteritis creates a large burden on the population of Peshawar.This research will help lead to culturally relevant interventions such as hospital-based education campaigns that are currently being initiated with the help of this research.