ORAL REHYDRATION THERAPY FOR ACUTE DIARRH EA IN A REGION OF NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL, 1986-1989

Some aspects of the use of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) in the treat ment of acute infant diarrhoea in children under five years of age in three different areas of S. Luis Island, Maranhao, Brazil were analyse d. This paper is based on data from a transversal study carried out by ''Projeto de Controle da Doenca Diarreica Infantil no Maranhao'' in t he districts of Vila Palmeira and Anjo da Guarda in the municipality o f S. Luis and in two other districts in S. Jose de Ribamar county, inv olving 13,867 children under five years of age, in 1986 and 1989. Chi- square analysis and Fisher's exact test were used for significance tes ting. The study revealed a high prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases and a low usage of ORT in the areas analysed, with a significant decrease in the former from 1986 to 1989, and a great variance from one area to another,especially in 1986. The use of ORT was closely related to the age of the children, the educational level, of their mothers, and who it was who prescribed the treatment and medicines. There was no signi ficant association with family income or the working relationships of the head of family at his/her job. There was a lack of knowledge of an thropological aspects of the use of ORT. Some intervention activities are proposed increase the dissemination of ORT, such as a health educa tional policy directed mainly to low income communities a review of pr ograms on management of infant diarrhoea directed at health workers an d a training program for the health community agents to improve their job in the communities.