Outcome of children rehydrated in a hospital ORT corner in Bangladesh: a follow-up study

Abstract

This prospective follow-up study was carried out during 1996 to identify the outcome of children rehydrated in the ORT Corner of the Chittagong Medical College Hospital. In total, 269 children, aged less than five years, who attended the ORT Corner, accompanied by their mothers, for treatment of uncomplicated acute watery diarrhoea with 'no signs of dehydration' and 'some dehydration,' were selected for the study. Mothers of the children were interviewed at the ORT Corner, and children were followed-up at home on the 5th post-ORT Corner visit day. The follow-up was completed for 260 cases (96.7%). At follow-up, 227 cases (87.3%) were found to be cured, and 33 cases (12.7%) still had diarrhoea. Of the cured, the mean duration of the episode was 5.84 +/- 2.34 days (95% CI.5.55-6.13 days). All the cases received oral rehydration therapy (ORT) after attending the ORT Corner. Eighty-one cases (31.2%), however, reconsulted the private doctors. Of those who reconsulted, only 3 (3.7%) received WHO-recommended treatment of acute watery diarrhoea, and the rest 78 (96.3%) received medication. The medication prolonged the episode of diarrhoea significantly (6.22 days vs 5.48 days, p < 0.001). None of the cases, who reconsulted the private doctors, revisited the ORT Corner. Treatment by 'ORS only' was mentioned by 64% of the mothers as the reason for non-revisit of the ORT Corner, and 20% of the mothers denied the receipt of any advice about when to revisit the ORT Corner which calls for further strengthening of communication activities of the ORT Corner.