EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF COMMON INFECTIONS IN RURAL PAKISTAN: IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS

Abstract

Infectious diseases remain a major public health challenge in rural Pakistan due to limited healthcare access and infrastructure. This cross-sectional study examines the prevalence of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and dermatological infections across different age and gender groups in a rural population. Data were collected over 45 days from a basic health unit serving seven villages with a population of 50,000. Patients were categorized based on infection type, gender, and age group. The findings revealed distinct epidemiological patterns: respiratory and dermatological infections peaked in the 15-49 age group before declining in older adults, while gastrointestinal infections were most prevalent in children aged 1-4 years. Males exhibited a slightly higher prevalence of dermatological infections, whereas gastrointestinal and respiratory infections showed minor gender-based variations. The study highlights key risk factors contributing to disease prevalence and underscores the need for targeted public health interventions, improved healthcare access, and preventive measures tailored to specific demographic groups. Future research should incorporate longitudinal data to establish causal relationships and enhance disease mitigation strategies.