Progress

Around one-third (38 per cent) of children with diarrhoeal diseases in the developing world (excluding China) receive the recommended treatment - oral rehydration therapy (oral rehydration salts or recommended homemade fluids) or increased fluids, with continued feeding. The highest levels of treatment are found in East Asia and the Pacific (excluding China) at 61 per cent, while the lowest treatment levels occur in sub-Saharan Africa, with only 30 per cent of children under five with diarrhoea receiving the recommended treatment.

AROUND ONE THIRD OF CHILDREN WITH DIARRHOEAL DISEASES IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD RECEIVE THE RECOMMENDED TREATMENT:
Percentage of children under five with diarrhoea who receive oral rehydration or increased fluids with continued feeding, by region (2000-2006) 

Treatment coverage has significantly increased since 1995, although data is limited

While trend data are limited, data from 31 developing countries with comparable data were available for around 1995 and 2005 indicate that coverage with the recommended treatment appears to have improved significantly across the developing world (excluding China), including in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Despite this progress, overall treatment coverage still remains too low.

COVERAGE OF RECOMMENDED TREATMENT SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED FROM 1995 TO 2005 Yet, data are limited: Percentage of children under fi ve with diarrhoea receiving oral rehydration or increased fl uids with continued feeding, based on an analysis of fi ndings from 31 developing countries (1995-2005)

 

Poorest children are least likely to receive the recommended treatment

Boys and girls are equally likely to receive the recommended treatment for diarrheal diseases. However, children under five with diarrhoeal diseases living in the richest households are 1.5 times more likely to receive the recommended treatment than those living in the poorest households. Similarly, 43 per cent of urban children receive the recommended treatment, compared to only 34 per cent of rural children.

This analysis is based on 83 developing countries, covering 77 per cent (gender) and 75 per cent (wealth) of the under five population in the developing world (excluding China), respectively. The analysis by residence includes 83 developing countries, covering 65 per cent of the urban under-five population and 84 per cent of the rural under-five population in the developing world (excluding China).

Source for figures:UNICEF global databases.