Zinc Supplementation in the Case of Diarrheal Disease
Open Access
Author:
Kidder, Sarah Marie
Area of Honors:
Biobehavioral Health
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Caprice A Knapp, Thesis Supervisor David John Vandenbergh, Thesis Honors Advisor David John Vandenbergh, Faculty Reader
Keywords:
zinc supplementation nutrition diarrhea biobehavioral health literature review global health developing world
Abstract:
In this extensive literature review, the micronutrient zinc and its efficacy in treating and preventing diarrheal disease in children under the age of five was reviewed. With diarrheal disease being the second leading cause of death in the developing world, this paper hopes to reveal the gaps in not only the research, but in practice and policy as well. After further investigation, it seems that zinc plays a significant role in the treatment and prevention of diarrheal diseases in children over six months of age; however, this micronutrient appears to be ineffective in both treating and preventing diarrhea in infants younger than six months. The implications of this study also highlight the importance of zinc implementation programs and research within each country, wide acceptance of the effectiveness of zinc among healthcare providers and families, a change in behavioral practices as well as the improvement of other sectors of health, including water sanitation and hygiene.
