PREVENTION OF GASTROINTESTINAL-DISEASES

The prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases markedly differs between d eveloped and developing countries because of the poor sanitation, hygi ene, impure water and food ingestion, widespread illiteracy and povert y in the developing world. The incidence of gastrointestinal diseases such its diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, dysentery, viral hepatitis (A an d E virus) can be substantially reduced by providing clean water and f ood to the population. Restricting consumption of tobacco and non-ster oidal anti-inflammatory drugs will reduce diseases and/or complication s of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Diminishing alcohol intake and overuse of blood transfusion and improving blood banks would prevent m any acute and chronic liver diseases. Costly passive and active immuno prophylaxis wilt become unnecessary a these measures are undertaken.