Host factors in childhood diarrhoea.

Host factors play a significant role in children under five who are the worst sufferers of this widespread and global scourge, both in regard to mortality and morbidity. This study deals with some of the host factors in relation to diarrhoea in a rural population. Age was found to have a definite and direct relationship to diarrhoea. Male children were effected more. Poor hygiene, malnutrition and the receipt of supplementary feeds, were found to have a significant association with childhood diarrhoeas.