Acute diarrhea treated by health care services in Fortaleza, Ceará State, Brazil, from 1996 to 2001

Diarrhea is still an important cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years old. It is not mandatory to report diarrheal diseases, and the statistics are not accurate. The objective of this study was to describe follow-up of acute diarrhea in Fortaleza, the capital of Ceará State, Brazil. From 1994 to 2001, cases of acute diarrhea were reported by 100 health care units using a standardized form, keyed-in and analyzed by month, age group, treatment plan, place of treatment, and place of residence. There were 489,069 cases reported, with an annual average of 81,511. February and March had the highest monthly rates. Incidence in infants (< 1 year) was 538.8, three times that of children from 1 to 4 years and 13 times the rate in the 5-to-9-year bracket. All areas in the city reported cases of diarrhea. Diarrhea shows a persistently high incidence, mainly among infants, and merits attention as a major public health problem.

Infantile Diarrhea; Infant Mortality; Child Health