Community-based survey of paediatric diarrhoeal morbidity and home treatment practices in Finland.

To determine total diarrhoeal morbidity and current home case management practices, a recall study was conducted among 345 mothers whose 406 children under 5 y of age had had diarrhoea in the past 4 months. The seasonally adjusted annual diarrhoea incidence rate was 0.48 episodes/child/y. For home treatment, increased amounts of fluid were given in 93% and oral rehydration solution (ORS) in 37% of cases. However, when given, ORS was diluted with other fluids in 41% of cases. More than half (55%) of the children received increased or normal amounts of food during the diarrhoeal episode, but 7% of the children were kept fasting for at least 1 d. Use of antidiarrhoeal drugs was minimal (0.7%), but products containing lactic acid bacteria were given in 44% of cases. Case management practice in cases of diarrhoea at home have much improved during the last 20 y, but are still not optimal.