Prevalence and hospitalization rates due to diarrhoea in infants: the 2006 Brazilian National Demographic Health Survey

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of and hospitalization rate due to diarrhea and to identify factorsassociated with diarrheal disease and related hospitalizations in children less than two years old in Brazil.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 1,902 children who were participants in the 2006 National Demographic andHealth Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Demografia e Saúde da Criança e da Mulher - PNDS 2006). To collect data, children’smothers were interviewed. The prevalence of and hospitalization rate due to diarrhea were calculated for the two weeks beforethe interview and for the last year, respectively. Logistic regression models were fitted to identify the prevalence of diarrhea andthe risk factors associated with diarrhea occurrence and related hospitalizations. A complex sample statistical technique wasapplied for all analyses.

Results: The prevalence of diarrhea and hospitalization rate due to diarrhea were 11.9% and 2.6%, respectively. Children livingin the North and Northeast regions had a greater risk of diarrhea, while children under 12 months old, those who were receivingage-appropriate exclusive breastfeeding and those with mothers greater than 35 years old were protected against the disease. Malechildren living in households that did not have a land-floor in the North and Northeast regions had a higher risk of hospitalizationdue to diarrhea, while children of mothers who had a higher education level (> 4 years) were protected against it.

Conclusion: Diarrhea is still a public health problem for children under two years old in Brazil, especially in the North andNortheast regions. Diarrhea control and prevention programs should inform young mothers with lower education levels aboutchildren’s healthcare, including the benefits of breastfeeding.