Evaluating India’s Intensified Diarrhea Control Fortnight: an analysis of the National Family Health Survey, 2015-2016

Background Oral rehydration solution (ORS) has the potential to avert deaths from diarrheal diseases. Nevertheless, in poor nations only about half of children with diarrhea receive ORS. Since 2014, India run an annual Intensified Diarrhea Control Fortnight increase ORS treatment. A key element plan is free distribution over 100 million homes young children. Methods We compared usage reported 2015/2016 National Family Health Survey 3 months before 2015 and 2016 Fortnights 2 after. control for state fixed effects observable characteristics child household. To reduce data mining, we use a machine learning method – cross-fit partialing-out lasso logistic regression. Results Our point estimate that rose 1.9 percentage points after Fortnight, closing 3% gap universal usage. The not statistically significant at conventional levels. These estimates are inconsistent government claims that, 2015, 63% received Conclusion did achieve most its goals. intervention could benefit more transparent monitoring, rigorous evaluation, improvements operations.