Diarrhoea in children under five years of age in South Africa (1997–2014). Issue 9 (6th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Awotiwon, Oluwatoyin F.; Pillay‐van Wyk, Victoria; Dhansay, Ali; Day, Candy; Bradshaw, Debbie
• Is Part Of: Tropical medicine & international health. Volume 21:Issue 9(2016)
• Page Start: 1060
• Page End: 1070
• Publication Date: 2016-07-06
• Subjects: Diarrhoea -- Prevalence -- Incidence -- Severity -- Dehydration -- Children under five -- South Africa; diarrhée -- prévalence -- incidence -- sévérité -- déshydratation -- enfants de moins de cinq ans -- Afrique du Sud; Diarrea -- Prevalencia -- Incidencia -- Severidad -- Deshidratación -- Niños menores de cinco años -- Sudáfrica; Tropical medicine -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 616.988
• DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12739
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-2276

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To present evidence from available reliable published data on the prevalence, incidence and severity of diarrhoea in children aged under five years in South Africa. Methods: We searched seven electronic databases. Two reviewers assessed the studies independently and extracted outcome data. The heterogeneity of the studies did not allow for a meta‐analysis. Results: We found only one nationally representative study conducted in 1998 reporting a diarrhoea prevalence of 13% in children under five. Other studies were conducted in smaller settings across the country. Diarrhoea incidence was 10.13 per 1000 person years in children admitted to a tertiary hospital. Three studies reported severity of diarrhoea; however, they differed across study settings and time period. Conclusion: The paucity of nationally representative prevalence data for SA necessitates more national surveys with standardised data‐collection methods to allow for more effective comparisons.