Environmental indicators of enteric infections in a rural area and urban slum of Vellore, India

•Bivariate and Multivariate linear and log-linear models to explore the relationships between diarrhea and fly densities, demographics, hygiene, and human/animal interactions. •91 episodes of diarrhea occurred (89% in under 5s) from 8/6/2010 to 1/31/2011. •Stool pathogens isolated in 24 of 77 (31%) of samples: E.coli, Shigella spp., Vibrio spp., Giardia, Cryptosporidium spp., and Rotavirus. •6,313 flies were caught. Fly densities were 2.56 times higher during the dry season (January 2011) compared to monsoon (October 2010) (p<0.001). •The absence of animals in or near the home, living in RNP (1 of 2 urban slums), and the use of indoor latrines were protective factors for high fly densities, while living in Kattuputhur (1 of 2 rural sites) and the use of firewood for fuel (some correlation with lower income) were risk factors. (Table 1)