The prevalence and aetiology of persistent diarrhoea in adults in urban Zambia
Kelly, P.; Baboo, K.S.; Wolff, M.; Ngwenya, B.; Luo, N.; Farthing, M.J.
Acta Tropica 61(3): 183-190
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-706X PMID: 8790769 DOI: 10.1016/0001-706x(95)00142-2Document Number: 307519
This study assesses the prevalence of diarrheal diseases in adults in urban Zambia as it relates to HIV infection in order to develop possible strategies for the management of AIDS patients. The study was conducted in a community via a house-to-house survey. In addition, the causes for persistent diarrhea in patients at the University Teaching Hospital were also investigated. The community sample consisted of 1440 adults, of which 94 (6.5%) had had diarrhea in the previous 2 weeks, which translates into an attack rate of 1.74 episodes/adult/year. Of these cases, 6 (6.4%) had diarrhea lasting between 2 and 4 weeks; 10 (10.6%) had diarrhea lasting over 4 weeks. In the hospital setting, 75 (97.4%) out of 77 patients with diarrhea lasting over 4 weeks were also HIV seropositive. Pathogenic parasites were found in 61 (81.3%) of the seropositive patients. The authors conclude that persistent diarrhea in adults, mostly related to HIV infection, is likely to represent an important and growing reservoir of enteric pathogens; furthermore, it presents a significant burden on hospitals and families.