Rev. Soc. Bras. Enferm. Ped.2025;25:eSOBEP202505.
Hospitalizations for diarrheal diseases in childhood in Brazil and Guinea-Bissau: an integrative literature review
DOI: 10.31508/1676-3793202505i
Abstract
Objective
To identify in the scientific literature the evidence related to the main causes of hospital admission for acute diarrheal diseases (ADD) in children in Brazil and Guinea-Bissau.
Method
This Integrative Literature Review used the PICo strategy to formulate the research question and organize data collection: P (Population): children; I (Interest): hospitalizations due to ADD; and Co (Context): hospital environment. Data collection was carried out from May to July 2024 in the databases LILACS, BDENF, MEDLINE, and SciELO using search strategies specific to each database. Articles (71) were retrieved from LILACS (27), BDENF/MEDLINE (14), and SciELO (30). After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 studies were selected for descriptive thematic analysis.
Results
Evidence found in Brazil and Guinea-Bissau showed that hospitalizations for ADD are strongly associated with socioeconomic and environmental factors. Precarious living cowasions, lack or poor basic sanitation, water quality, and climate variability were identified as aggravating factors and direct causes of the increase in hospitalizations. In contrast, rotavirus vaccination and the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding patterns are effective measures in reducing the incidence of severe cases that progress to hospital admission.
Conclusion
In the countries studied, hospital admission rates for acute diarrheal diseases reflect profound socioeconomic inequalities and sanitary conditions. Poverty, low educational levels among caregivers, and lack of basic sanitation are the main factors associated with the need for hospitalization and the risk of infant mortality due to ADD.
