Community-based Cluster Surveys on Treatment Preferences for Diarrhoea,
Severe Diarrhoea, and Dysentery in Children Aged Less Than Five Years
in Two Districts of Ghana
Hospital-based surveillance for severe diarrhoea has been recommended
to assess the burden of disease due to rotavirus. However, information
on healthcare-seeking patterns of residents in the hospital catchment
area is needed first to obtain the burden of disease in the community
using the hospital data. A community-based cluster survey was conducted
in two districts of Ghana, each served by a single district hospital,
to determine the prevalence of severe diarrhoea among and treatment
preferences for children aged less than five years. Caretakers of 619
children in Tema, an urban district, and caretakers of 611 children in
Akwapim South, a rural district, were interviewed. During the month
preceding the survey, the prevalence of severe diarrhoea in children
aged less than five years was similar in the two districts (13.6% urban
and 12.9% rural), as was the proportion of mothers who sought care
outside the home (69.0% urban and 70.9% rural). 48.8% of urban mothers
of children with severe diarrhoea visited public/private clinics, 9.5%
pharmacies, and 3.6% the district hospital. Whereas, 22.8% of rural
mothers visited public/private clinics, 19.0% pharmacies, and 13.9% the
district hospital. Results of the study suggest that rotavirus
surveillance should be guided by community studies on healthcare-use
patterns. Where hospital use is low for severe diarrhoea, rotavirus
surveillance should include other health facilities