La enfermedad diearreica aguda en los países en vías de desarrollo : Métodos de prevención y control

Abstract

The proposed program for community control of acute undifferentiated diarrheal disease is for the three-fourths of the world where incidence is high and facilities meagre. Community control has two elements, measures within the responsibility of the organized health agencies of society and those which the individual himself must undertake. General methods therefore resolve into environmental sanitation, maternal and child health procedures, medical care and health education of the public

Priorities are realistic only if based on epidemiological evaluation of the particular situation, and not if reached through assumption that one method is always better than another or that one procedure suffices to the exclusion of others. Environmental sanitation, an essential means for protecting a general populatin or for achieving long term effect, gives a poor result without health education of the public to assure that facilities are utilized. Diarrheal disease in early childhood requires the specialized approach of health education, improved nutrition and medical care

Report of epidemics rather than reporting of individual cases is the practical procedure in areas lacking good public health organization. Even under the best conditions required report of individual cases by etiologic agent fails because it discourages notification

Preventive measures, aimed toward fewer cases find greatest emphasis ...(AU)

Difuciones por gastritis y enteritis por 100.000 habitantes