Epidemiology and predictors of infant morbidity in rural Malawi.

摘要: In rural Malawi 703 newborns were visited monthly for 1 year to describe the epidemiology and health-seeking behaviour during acute episodes of diarrhoea respiratory infections (ARI) malaria. On average infants suffered from 1.3 annual (11.0 illness days) 1.1 (9.4 ARI 0.7 (4.8 Multivariate analysis with polychotomous logistic regression indicated that amount morbidity was associated childs area residence weight in early life number siblings fathers marital status source drinking water. Diarrhoea malaria most common at 6-12 months age rainy whereas peaked 1-3 cold season. Ten per cent 9% 7% lasted more than 14 days. Fifty-eight died giving case fatality rates 1% 2% 4% One-third (37%) managed home without external advice. A traditional healer consulted 16% a medical professional 55% episodes. If healers seen earlier professionals (median duration after onset symptoms vs. 1.8 days p < 0.001). Traditional significantly commonly used by those families whose did not die (odds ratio 95% CI 3.0). Our results emphasize influence seasonality care living conditions on Malawi. Case high among guardians. Future interventions must aim appropriate management childhood illnesses infancy. (authors)