Languages

Diarrheal Disease

A malnourished and dehydrated infant is cared for at "Terre des Hommes" in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

Diarrhea is the second leading killer of children under the age of five, accounting for approximately 9% of under-five child deaths worldwide, or half a million deaths annually

Although the means to prevent diarrhea through water supply, sanitation, and hygiene have been well-documented, each year roughly 1.5 billion episodes of acute diarrhea occur among children under the age of five.

This course will help you learn about the epidemiology, prevention, and treatment of diarrhea.

Objective

By the end of this course, you will be able to do the following:

  • Describe the epidemiology and magnitude of diarrheal diseases among children under the age of five in low- and middle-income countries
  • Explain the main principles of diarrhea case management in young children
  • Discuss prevention measures for diarrhea in young children in low-resource settings and challenges to program implementation
  • List key factors in diarrhea control programming

Credits

Special thanks to Marina Budeyeva, BASICS, who authored the first edition of this course (published June 20, 2007).

The course authors would also like to thank the following individuals for their contributions to the course revision:

  • Malia Boggs, USAID
  • Catherine Clarence, Abt Associates
  • Peggy D'Adamo, USAID
  • Troy Jacobs, USAID
  • Saiqa Panjsheri, Abt Associates
  • Kerry Ross, USAID

 

Time

  • 2 hours

Published/Updated

  • Thursday, June 2, 2016

Course Authors: 

  • Rachael Bonawitz MD, BUSPH, Center for Global Health and Development

  • James Wolff MD, MPH, BUSPH, Center for Global Health and Development

Course Managers: 

  • Amy Lee, CCP
  • Lisa Mwaikambo, CCP

Related Courses