Reduction of Diarrheal Diseases in Under-Five Children in Lagos, Nigeria

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Introduction
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes diarrheal disease as the second leading cause of mortality in children under five years old, accounting for around 760000 deaths of children every year (Lweendo, 2010). Diarrhea is usually transmitted through the faecal-oral route. From the public health perspectives, contact with human excreta due to improper faecal disposal, poor hygiene in terms of hand washing to mention a few are the most potential risk factors. It has been documented that diarrhea causes of malnutrition in children under- five years. Diarrheal disease causes loss of water and salt in the body and can lead to death. This disease is very dangerous for children under –five years

Nigeria is one the countries with high child death rate in the world. In the year 2010 for example, under-five mortality rate was 157/1000 live births and child mortality rate was 75/1000 live births (DHS, 2010). Diarrhea accounts for 19% of all childhood mortality in Nigeria.

This essay intends to discuss the reduction of diarrheal diseases in under-five children in Lagos, Nigeria. The essay will dwell to assess the epidemiological issues, including locally initiated data search, ƒthe chosen interventions and the implementation strategies to avert under-five children mortality caused by diarrheal diseases.
Assessing the problem with epidemiological perspective
Lagos is one the populace city in Nigeria with about 17.5 million people. The city stands to be the Africa’s second fastest-growing city and the seventh in the world. Access to safe water is one of challenge facing the habitats in Lagos , whereby only 58.9% have access to safe water. It is estimated that 51.6% have access to improved sanitation and 60%-70% lives...

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...hile they are still infants (Fichter, Klotz et al. 2011).
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References
Fichter, M., M. Klotz, et al. (2011). "Breast milk contains relevant neurotrophic factors and cytokines for enteric nervous system development." Mol Nutr Food Res 55(10): 1592-1596.

Senbanjo, I. O., I. O. Olayiwola, et al. (2013). "Maternal and child under-nutrition in rural and urban communities of Lagos state, Nigeria: the relationship and risk factors." BMC Res Notes 6: 286.

Strina, A., L. C. Rodrigues, et al. (2012). "Factors associated with rotavirus diarrhoea in children living in a socially diverse urban centre in Brazil." Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 106(7): 445-451.

http://www.nanngronline.com/section/healthgender/expert-says-regular-hand-washing-curbs-diarrhoea-among-children-by-50

http://www.ircwash.org/resources/financing-water-supply-and-sanitation-services-lagos-state-nigeria

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