Background: Among the goals set at the 1990 World Summit was the reduction of diarrhoeal disease incidence by 50% and its mortality by 25% by 2000. However, despite all efforts, diarrhoeal disease remains a significant contributor to under-five morbidity and mortality in developing countries.
Objective: This study aimed at determining the role of diarrhoeal diseases in paediatric disease burden at a University Teaching Hospital.
Methods: Data on children with diarrhoeal diseases admitted into the Children Emergency Ward (CHEW) or were attended to at the Diarrhoeal Training Unit (DTU) between 1999 and 2005 were analysed retrospectively.
Results: There were 9901 admissions of which 1080(10.91%) had diarrhoea. Diarrhoeal diseases accounted for 8.2% to 15% of the total yearly admissions with a statistically significantly increased contribution between 2003 and 2005 (chi(2)=33.58, df=6, p<0.0001). The children consisted of 628(58.1%) males and 452(41.9%) females; all aged 1 to 180 months; mean 21.3 + or - 26.9 months. Of these 539(49.9%) were infants and 988(91.48%), under fives. The degrees of dehydration were mild in 150(13.9%) children, moderate in 854(79.1%) and severe in 76(7%). During the period, 25 (2.5%) diarrhoea-related deaths occurred. In 2005, 745 children with diarrhoea received care in the DTU compared to 184 admitted for diarrhoea in CHEW.
Conclusion: Diarrhoea continues to contribute significantly to childhood morbidity. Well-known preventive strategies should be employed on a wide scale to reduce its current burden.