The epidemiology of hospitalization with diarrhea in rural Kenya: the utility of existing health facility data in developing countries

SummaryObjectivesIn developing countries where prospective surveillance is resource-intensive, existing hospital data can define incidence, mortality, and risk factors that can help target interventions and track trends in disease burden.MethodsWe reviewed hospitalizations from 2001 to 2003 at all inpatient facilities in Bondo District, Kenya.ResultsDiarrhea was responsible for 11.2% (n=2158) of hospitalizations. The annual incidence was 550 and 216 per 100000 persons aged