Protective Benefits of Deep Tube Wells Against Childhood Diarrhea in Matlab, Bangladesh

• DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2012.300975
• Publication Date: 2013-02-14T21:07:30Z
• Authors: Jennifer Jane Win...; Veronica Escamilla; Carolina Perez-He...; Margaret Carrel; Mohammad Yunus; Peter Kim Streatf...; Michael Emch
• Keywords: Diarrheal diseases; Tube well

We investigated whether deep tube wells installed to provide arsenic-free groundwater in rural Bangladesh have the added benefit of reducing childhood diarrheal disease incidence.We recorded cases diarrhea children younger than 5 years 142 villages Matlab, Bangladesh, during monthly community health surveys 2005 and 2006. surveyed location depth 12,018 integrated these data with other a geographic information system. fit longitudinal logistic regression model measure relationship between well use. controlled for maternal education, family wealth, year, distance well.Household clusters assumed be using were 48.7% (95% confidence interval = 27.8%, 63.5%) less likely case household clusters.Increased access may dual benefits vulnerable populations by risk decreasing exposure naturally occurring arsenic groundwater.