DEVELOPMENTAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISK-FACTORS FOR DIARRHEA AMONG RURAL BANGLADESHI CHILDREN OF LESS-THAN 2 YEARS

One hundred and eighty-five rural Bangladeshi children (80 boys and 10 5 girls) aged 4-27 months were observed to investigate developmental, behavioural, and environmental risk factors for diarrhoea during a 6-m onth period, Incidence of diarrhoea was found to be the highest among children aged 10-12 months, Children of this age group had the greates t exposure to environmental contaminants in the neighbourhood, Inciden ce of diarrhoea was the highest in hot, dry months, Risk factors for d iarrhoea included: faecal contamination and garbage disposal in infant 's outdoor play compound, crawling, contact of hand and mouth with con taminated materials, greater distance of household from water source, inadequate cleaning after defecation; dirt of child's face, presence o f flies, feeding rotten food; insufficient washing of infant's and car etaker's hands before feeding rice meals or soft, wet foods; and lack of mothers' willingness to visit a modern (allopathic) health practiti oner.