Estimation of Acute Diarrhea and Acute Respiratory Infections among Children under Five Years Who Lived in a Peri-urban Environment of Myanmar. OSIR, December 2013, Volume 6, Issue 4, p. 13-18.
Authors: Su Latt Tun Myint, KhinThet W, Khaymar M, PhyuSin A, Aye YM
Exposures to multiple environmental contaminants place children under five years of age at a greater risk to acute diarrhea and acute respiratory tract infections (ARI). To assess this phenomenon, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to examine relationships between environmental conditions and occurrence of acute diarrhea and ARI in peri-urban areas of Yangon Region, Myanmar. Mothers or caretakers of 620 children under five years were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Of these children, 1% had acute diarrhea only, 45% had ARI only and 3.7% had both conditions during last four weeks.
Children suffered from acute diarrhea were 2.1 times more likely to suffer ARI in age group of 24-59 months (stratum-specific odds ratio = 2.1, 95% CI = 0.7-6.5). Multivariate analyses identified that bamboo housing and unsafe method of waste disposal were significantly associated with occurrence of acute diarrhea. However, no significant association was identified between ARI attack rate and environmental factors such as house condition and ventilation. Integrated community-based strategies to improve environmental conditions, water, sanitation and hygiene should be considered to reduce the dual burden of these illnesses in children under five years.
