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Open Access 01-09-2013 | Review

Effect of community based interventions on childhood diarrhea and pneumonia: uptake of treatment modalities and impact on mortality

Authors: Jai K Das, Zohra S Lassi, Rehana A Salam, Zulfiqar A Bhutta

Published in: BMC Public Health | Special Issue 3/2013

Abstract

Introduction

Diarrhea and pneumonia are the two leading causes of mortality in children under five. Improvements have occurred over the past two decades but the progress is slow to meet the MDG-4.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of the randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental and observational studies to estimate the effect of community based interventions including community case management on the coverage of various commodities and on mortality due to diarrhea and pneumonia. We used a standardized abstraction and grading format and performed meta-analyses for all the relevant outcomes. The estimated effect of community based interventions was determined by applying the standard Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group (CHERG) rules.

Results

We included twenty four studies in this review. Community based interventions led to significant rise in care seeking behaviors with 13% and 9% increase in care seeking for pneumonia and diarrhea respectively. These interventions were associated with 160% increase in the use of ORS and 80% increase in the use of zinc for diarrhea. There was a 75% decline in the unnecessary use of antibiotics for diarrhea and a 40% decrease in treatment failure rates for pneumonia. Community case management for diarrhea and pneumonia is associated with a 32% reduction in pneumonia specific mortality, while the evidence on diarrhea related mortality is weak.

Conclusion

Community based interventions have the potential to scale up care seeking and the use of essential commodities and significantly decrease morbidity and mortality burden due to diarrhea and pneumonia in children under the age of five years.

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Title: Effect of community based interventions on childhood diarrhea and pneumonia: uptake of treatment modalities and impact on mortality
Authors: Jai K Das
Zohra S Lassi
Rehana A Salam
Zulfiqar A Bhutta
Publication date: 01-09-2013
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue Special Issue 3/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-S3-S29

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Effect of community based interventions on childhood diarrhea and pneumonia: uptake of treatment modalities and impact on mortality

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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