Epidemiological characteristics and strategies for the prevention of diarrheal disease in indigenous children: A scoping review.

Aim: The aim of the present scoping review was to map the scientific evidence about diarrheal disease in indigenous children and the strategies that can be used to prevent it.

Methods: The subject headings were indigenous population; child; diarrhea; dysentery; epidemiology; and prevention, primary; also the following keywords characteristic, epidemiologic study; and children. The databases consulted were Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, MEDLINE via the US National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health, and Web of Science. Initially, 268 studies were identified, and after being screened using the eligibility criteria, six were selected. Finally, via reference tracking, five more were identified. The final sample was made up of eleven articles.

Results: The results confirmed higher mortality rates due to diarrheal disease among indigenous children who are socially disadvantaged and living in poor hygienic and basic sanitation conditions. Among the primary prevention strategies are basic sanitation, health education better hygiene habits, animal control, breastfeeding, supplementing the diet with zinc, vitamins, and the rotavirus vaccine. The preventive strategies included the use of oral rehydration solutions, adequate nutrition, prescribed antimicrobials, and intravenous fluid replacement with glycaemic and electrolyte correction in severe cases.

Conclusion: In conclusion, public policies regarding the indigenous population and cross-cultural care should be strengthened. The present study confirmed that, at a global level, there is a lack of publications studying this issue.