DIARRHEA: Lesson 1

Habu and his wife were farm people who lived in the town of Gardama. The people of this town got their drinking water from the river and also were accustomed to defecating anywhere behind the house or in the bush. No one had a latrine.

Habu and his wife developed abdominal pain as well as swollen bellies from time to time. They began seeing blood and mucus in their stools which they had four to seven times in one day. They began to lose weight as well as feel weak. Many of the people in this town had the same problem.

One day Habu's wife sent to the river to get water. When she went to lift the pot to her head she was too weak. There was a young man who saw her. He came to her and asked what was the matter. She replied that she needed someone to help her lift the water pot to her head for she was not able. What had happened to cause her to be so weak, even her eyes looked sunken.

She said that both she and her husband felt quite weak since they had had bloody diarrhea. The young man asked her if they used a latrine for defecating. She said that they did not have one. He also asked her where they got their drinking water. Her answer was "from the river". The young man helped her lift the water pot and then advised her and her husband to go to the health post to get medicine for their problem. He also told her that when they were well they should dig a latrine and urinate and defecate in it instead of just going anywhere. Defecating on the open ground is the way diarrhea is spread. Flies come and sit on the feces, then fly to someone's house and sit on the food which is uncovered. A person eats the food, the germs enter his body and he develops diarrhea. He told her to dig a well. The river water is full of germs that cause diarrhea as well as other diseases.

It was difficult for her to get home with the water because of her weakness. After she reached home, she and her husband went to the health post. The health worker repeated the teaching about using the latrine and the importance of digging a well. He also said it is important to wash the hands before eating and after defecating. Keep food covered and wash fruits and vegetables before eating. They received medicine along with the teaching and then returned to their home.

When they were well they dug both a latrine and a well. Many other people of the town accepted this teaching and soon they were all enjoying better health.

Questions:

1. In what town did Habu and his wife live?

2. What were the symptoms of the disease common there?

3. Where did they defecate?

4. How does this spread disease?

5. Where did they find help?

6. What was it necessary to do before the situation improved?