Diarrhoea needs a careful watch, as about 18 - 20 % of deaths among children below five years in the state occurs due to diarrhoea. This was revealed by a study conducted by UNICEF early this year. According to the UNICEF survey conducted across the state, diarrhoea is the second largest cause of death in children less than 5 years old, next only to pneumonia. Of all, the North Karnataka districts of Raichur, Koppal, Yadgir and Gulbarga are among the worst affected. Explaining the scenario, Dr Sudeep Shetty, senior state consultant (Child Health) for Karnataka, UNICEF, said that health care behaviour and hygiene practices in these districts were very low.
In order to prevent this disease, regular use of zinc and ORS among children, especially those below 5 years, should be encouraged. According to WHO, zinc is important for the immune system. Dr Shetty said, “According to the National Family Health Survey, only 33 % of people use ORS. About 20 - 30 % of diarrhoea deaths among children can be avoided with the rational use of ORS and zinc.”
P.N. Govindarajulu, senior pediatrician and Chairman, Indian Medical Association (IMA) Building Committee (Karnataka) said that people in urban slums are also equally vulnerable to diarrhoea. He said, “Proper hygiene and health care seems to be very low among urban slum populations. Preventive measures and focus on personal hygiene, boiling water before drinking, avoiding consumption of stale food, simple things like cutting nails and hair, washing fruits and vegetables before eating and improving sanitation, needs to be propagated among these people.”
In addition, breast feeding children till they turn one year old and avoiding feeding them diluted milk till this period, helps preventing diarrhoea among the vulnerable age group. “Use of zinc tablets needs to be promoted among urban slums and high prevalence districts in the state as zinc is effective in increasing the absorption of fluid,” he added.