Diarrheal disease control study May through October 1980.

This report gives the results of a 6 month study (May-October 1980) in Egypt on the use of oral rehydration therapy to reduce child mortality from diarrhea. The 6-cell design study (2 control and 4 "treatment" cells) included 11 villages with a total population of 200000. Oralyte in sealed packets was distributed to homes and commercially in 2 cells and sugar/salt was given for home preparation and in prepackaged mixtures in the other 2 cells. Data were collected from household surveys ingredient and utensil surveys home prepared ORS electrolyte concentration analysis mortality surveys verbal autopsy reports and treatment and referral records. Results indicate that accurate measuring of salt sugar and water improved during the study and the sodium content in all treatment cells closely approximated expected concentrations. Mortality rates of children 1 month to less than 5 years in the 2 control cells and where Oralyte was available mainly from commercial sources did not change significantly between 1976-79 and in 1980. Where Oralyte was distributed to homes mortality fell from 18.9 to 11.2. Where sugar and salt was prepared at home mortality fell from 17.7 to 10.3 and where prepackaged sugar and salt was distributed to homes mortality declined from 23.4 to 9.3. These 3 declines of 40-60% were statistically significant (p<.005). Diarrheal deaths were 50% lower in the Oralyte home distribution and the 2 sugar and salt cells than in the 2 control cells. 83% of a sample of the deaths (50) consulted physicians but only 42% (25) were given fluids; 76% received too small a quantity of ORT. The cost per death averted ranged from $52 in the sugar/salt home prepared cell to $691 in the control cell; in the Oralyte home distributed cell it was $104.