The pattern of infections among under-fives: a call for actions

INTRODUCTION Infectious diseases are by far the most frustrating challenges in the health systems of most tropical nations. Unlike other challenges, infections have their causes known and solutions at hand. Paediatric world is the most important victim of infectious ailments. Various models, interventions for reduction/elimination of infectious diseases have been put forth but the strategies (in most tropical nations) have not bore the anticipated fruits. OBJECTIVES To assess the pattern of infections and its association with nutritional status among under-five years population of Dodoma in August – September 2007. METHODOLOGY A descriptive, cross-sectional community based study was done at Makulu ward of Dodoma district involving 396 under five year population derived from 322 different families. Data was collected using a standard structured questionnaire and analysed using epi-info 6 software. RESULTS Among 396 children studied, 52.3% were females. Maximum representation was found in the age range of 12-23 months (mode at age of 14.0 months). More than half (50.8%) of all children surveyed were found to have fever (at the time of the survey) and 58.8% were reported to have had fever within a period of 1 month prior to conduction of the study. Among children with fever, 52.3% had a normal weight to age ratio. More than 90% of surveyed children were reported to have been weaned before 6 months of age. CONCLUSION The prevalence of fever was found to be high (reflecting infectious nature) in this study. RECOMMENDATIONS More analytical studies are needed in this area to explain for the nature and causes of fever in this age group at Makulu ward.