Effectiveness of ARI control strategy on underfive mortality.

A prospective intervention study was conducted in Ballabgarh block of Haryana. The study area has a population of about 30,000 under a state run P.H.C. area. The control area has a population of about 60,000 under Comprehensive Rural Health Services Project of All India Institute of Medical Sciences. ARI control strategies as advocated by WHO was instituted in the study area. Measles and DPT immunization was strengthened. The ARI cases detected or reported to Health Workers were managed as per the standard case management procedure. The underfives mortality, infant and 1-4 years mortality rates were initially higher in study area and differences were statistically significant. After 2 years, the reductions in study area were substantial and differences were not statistically significant. The ARI mortality in underfives, and 1-4 years were higher in study area at the beginning compared to control area. Though they were less than in control area after 2 years of intervention the observed differences were not statistically significant in both periods. The reduction of 37% in underfives mortality and 26% due ARI mortality is substantial. More benefit was attained with measles immunization than with standard case management. ARI control programme is advocated for application on national level vigourously covering with measles immunization and to include the village based private practitioners in the strategy for effective case management.