ABSTRACT
In 1979, a project was undertaken in the delta region of Egypt to promote family planning, health, and social welfare services in an integrated manner. This chapter explores the introduction into the rural areas of the governorate of a set of measures to promote oral rehydration therapy (ORT) among children with diarrheal disease – a prevalent condition and a major cause of death among young children in Egypt. Evidence regarding the synergism between infection and nutritional deficiency suggests that reducing diarrheal morbidity, in addition to saving lives, has lasting effects on the growth and development of survivors, and therefore has major public health implications. In settings characterized by high diarrheal morbidity and mortality, mothers and health professionals have established ways of treating the disease. The household-level education and distribution program was carried out by specially trained female high school graduates recruited from each village.
