Abstract

DUANY MACHADO, Orgel José; MEJIAS SANCHEZ, Yoerquis  and  COLLOT GUTIERREZ, Josefina Juliana. Diarrheal diseases: an outbreak in children under 5 years old. Rev Cubana Hig Epidemiol [online]. 2008, vol.46, n.3, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3003.

OBJECTIVE: to determine the behavior of acute diarrheal diseases in children under 5 years old by age groups, weekly chronological series, and district distribution, as well as to identify the risk factors and the actions to be taken. METHODS: a research-action plan was implemented in the Republic of Nauru. The data were collected from interviews to physicians, nurses, parents or tutors of the children. Charge sheets and clinical records were reviewed and communities were visited. The data were introduced in an EPI 6 program, and Epimap 2 programmes were used to stratify by district. Excel was utilized to design chronological series and graphics. Data were daily processed, and frequencies by age group were determined. Rates per 1 000 inhabitants were estimated, and community actions were executed. RESULTS: 645 cases were reported (510.7x 103 inhabitants) in the outbreak, with a predominance in children aged 1-3. A significant increase was observed in the 18th statistic week, with a maximum peak in the 21st week. Yaren and Anabar districts were affected from the beginning. CONCLUSIONS: medical and community actions were effective. No deaths were reported due to this outbreak.

Keywords : Mortality; incidences; causes; acute diarrheal diseases.

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