TITLE:
The effect of zinc supplementation on diarrheal diseases in children in the Niger Delta Sub-Region of Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Eme Asuquo, Udeme Georgewill, Idorenyin Nta, Nkechinyere Enyidah, Essiet Umofia, Suanu Deekae
KEYWORDS:
Diarrheal Diseases; Zinc Supplementation; Children; Niger Delta Sub-Region
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Preventive Medicine,
Vol.2 No.2,
May
30,
2012
ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the trend of diarrheal diseases managed with zinc supplementation by comparing it with diarrheal diseases managed without zinc supplementation at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching hospital (UPTH), Nigeria. The study was a descriptive retrospective study done at the Diarrhea Training Unit (DTU) of UPTH to determine the effect of zinc supplementation in the management of diarrhea in children under 5 years. Out of the 134 case records studied, of children aged 0 to 59 months who presented with diarrhea at the DTU, 57 children did not receive zinc supplementation between October and December, 2007 and 77 children received zinc supplementation between October and December 2009. The results showed that (74) 96.1% of patients who received zinc supplementation, and (48) 84.2% of those who did not, had no repeat diarrheal episodes when seen at the follow up clinic. On the other hand, 1.3% of those who received zinc supplementation and 1.8% of those who did not, had increased episodes of diarrhea when seen at the follow up clinic. Of those who received, and those who did not receive zinc supplementation, 2.6% and 14% respectively, had reduced episodes of diarrhea. These findings clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of zinc supplementation in halting the course of diarrheal diseases in children aged 0 to 59 months. We therefore advocate for the use of zinc supplementation in the management of diarrhea in Nigeria