Impact of Economy Status of Parents on Diarrhoea Infection in Children, in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria

One hundred and seventy six stool samples from children with diarrhoea attending the General Hospital Minna, Nigeria were analysed for the causative bacteria using standard bacteriological methods in relation to their parents socio-economy status using questionnaire method. The economy status parameter used were; education level of the mother, source of drinking water, feeding pattern of the children, and type of residence occupied by there parents. The bacteria identified were as follows: Escherichia coli 84 (47.734 %), Shigella species 34 (19.32 %), Salmonella species 29 (16.6532 %). Others were Citrobacter species 8 (4.55 %), Enterobacter species 11 (6.65 %), Vibro cholerae 4 (2.23 %). Ten (5.68 %) samples yielded no bacteria growth. The highest percentage prevalence was recorded for the 6-12 months age group in homes where parents use wells and streams as source of drinking water. Findings indicate that the prevalence of diarrhoea in the children could be traced primarily to mode of child feeding, and poor personal hygiene