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February 10, 2024
A groundbreaking study has unveiled the life-saving potential of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), highlighting its critical role in combating childhood diarrhoea and preventing hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. Published in the esteemed journal Science, the study conducted by researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) sheds light on the underutilization of ORS, particularly in countries like India where diarrhoea remains a leading cause of child mortality.
Diarrhoeal diseases claim the lives of a staggering 500,000 children under the age of five annually, with India bearing the brunt of this global burden. Despite being a cost-effective and readily available treatment, ORS is underprescribed, contributing to the alarming death toll.
To delve into the reasons behind this underutilization, researchers conducted a survey involving approximately 2,000 healthcare providers across 200 towns in Bihar and Karnataka, two states in India with vastly different socioeconomic demographics and healthcare access.
The findings revealed that 50 percent of children with diarrhoea in India do not receive ORS, primarily due to provider misperceptions that patients do not want the treatment. This perception, according to the study, accounts for a significant portion of under-prescribing, overshadowing factors such as stockouts and financial incentives.
“Even when children seek care from healthcare providers for diarrhoea, they often do not receive ORS, despite its status as a lifesaving intervention recommended by the World Health Organization for decades,” emphasized Neeraj Sood, from the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics and a professor at the USC Price School of Public Policy.
Professor Manoj Mohanan of Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the urgent need to address provider behavior regarding ORS prescription. Patients expressing a preference for ORS emerged as a significant factor influencing prescribing practices, underscoring the importance of patient education and awareness in improving access to life-saving treatments.
As efforts to combat childhood diarrhoea intensify, the study’s findings underscore the critical role of ORS in preventing needless deaths. By addressing barriers to ORS utilization and enhancing provider awareness, stakeholders can take decisive steps towards realizing the full potential of this simple yet potent intervention, ensuring a brighter, healthier future for children worldwide.
