Diarrheal disease control strategy (oral rehydration therapy and related intervention)

This document outlines A.I.D."s oral rehydration therapy (ORT)-based strategy for controlling this disease. An initial chapter presents guidelines for developing country-level ORT strategies: (1) develop comprehensive programs; (2) stress ORT case (including dietary) management by health personnel and mothers and, for serious cases, appropriate referral; (3) make children 0-2 years of age the primary target group; (4) stress the sustainability of ORT and related interventions; (5) involve both the public and the private sectors; (6) collaborate actively with other donors; and (7) link ORT efforts to preventive and primary health care programs. A second chapter discusses specific implementation issues such as country selection, policy dialogue, planning, health worker training, communications and social marketing, production and distribution of oral rehydration salts (ORS), management information and evaluation systems, and research and information dissemination. Concrete steps outlined by A.I.D. for implementing its ORT strategy are specified. Technical appendices detail ORT indicators and home treatment procedures as well as ORS composition and manufacturing standards.