Cryptosporidial Diarrhoea in Lusaka Children

A health centre based survey carried out in November and December 1995 to determine the prevalence of cryptosporidium in under-five children presenting with diarrhoea in three areas of Lusaka chosen for the type of water supply and to assess the risk factors associated with the disease. Reponse rate = 61% Ccryptosporidium was isolated 33 times out of 156 specimen = 21% Cryptosporidial diarrhoea was found to be associated with location X = 17.94, P = 0.0001, source of water, Borehole x = 13.2 P = 0.0001. Always having water was associated with the disease O.R = 2.37 C.I (1.0, 5.66) X = 4.73 P = 0.03,
Age sex, number of persons in household keeping animals, boiling water, economic status, nutritional status and the type of latrine were not associated with the disease. Cryptosporidium would appear to be an important cause of diarrhoea in children under five years old and transmission through water is probably the most important route.