Association between moderate-to-severe diarrhea in young children in the global enteric multicenter study (GEMS) and types of handwashing materials used by caretakers in Mirzapur, Bangladesh

Kelly K Baker; Fahmida Dil Farzana; Farzana Ferdous; Shahnawaz Ahmed; Sumon Kumar Das; A S G Faruque; Dilruba Nasrin; Karen L Kotloff; James P Nataro; Krishnan Kolappaswamy; Myron M Levine

doi:10.4269/ajtmh.13-0509

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Association between moderate-to-severe diarrhea in young children in the global enteric multicenter study (GEMS) and types of handwashing materials used by caretakers in Mirzapur, Bangladesh

Journal article

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Association between moderate-to-severe diarrhea in young children in the global enteric multicenter study (GEMS) and types of handwashing materials used by caretakers in Mirzapur, Bangladesh

Kelly K Baker, Fahmida Dil Farzana, Farzana Ferdous, Shahnawaz Ahmed, Sumon Kumar Das, A S G Faruque, Dilruba Nasrin, Karen L Kotloff, James P Nataro, Krishnan Kolappaswamy, …

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, Vol.91(1), pp.181-189

07/2014

DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0509

PMCID: PMC4080560

PMID: 24778193

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Abstract

Handwashing practices among caretakers of case and control children < 5 years of age enrolled in the Global Enteric Multicenter Study in Mirzapur, Bangladesh were characterized and analyzed for association with moderate-to-severe diarrhea. Soap or detergent ownership was common, yet 48% of case and 47.7% of control caretakers also kept ashes for handwashing, including 36.8% of the wealthiest households. Soap, detergent, and ash were used for multiple hygiene purposes and were kept together at handwashing areas. Caretakers preferred soap for handwashing, but frequently relied on ash, or a detergent/ash mixture, as a low-cost alternative. Moderate-to-severe diarrhea was equally likely for children of caretakers who kept soap versus those who kept ash (matched OR = 0.91; 0.62-1.32). Contact with ash and water reduced concentrations of bacterial enteropathogens, without mechanical scrubbing. Thus, washing hands with ash is a prevalent behavior in Mirzapur and may help diminish transmission of diarrheal pathogens to children.

Health Behavior

Severity of Illness Index

Caregivers - psychology

Humans

Child, Preschool

Diarrhea - epidemiology

Infant

Male

Bangladesh - epidemiology

Soaps

Socioeconomic Factors

Family Characteristics

Female

Hand Disinfection - methods

Child

Hygiene

Infant, Newborn

Details

Title: Subtitle: Association between moderate-to-severe diarrhea in young children in the global enteric multicenter study (GEMS) and types of handwashing materials used by caretakers in Mirzapur, Bangladesh
Creators: Kelly K Baker
Fahmida Dil Farzana
Farzana Ferdous
Shahnawaz Ahmed
Sumon Kumar Das
A S G Faruque
Dilruba Nasrin
Karen L Kotloff
James P Nataro
Krishnan Kolappaswamy
Myron M Levine
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, Vol.91(1), pp.181-189
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0509
PMID: 24778193
PMCID: PMC4080560
NLM abbreviation: Am J Trop Med Hyg
ISSN: 0002-9637
eISSN: 1476-1645
Publisher: United States
Language: English
Date published: 07/2014
Academic Unit: Occupational and Environmental Health; Epidemiology
Record Identifier: 9983997303002771

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