Ecology of childhood health in Central Kazakhstan during the development of Virgin Lands

Abstract

The article presents the results of historical and medical research showing the issues related to fighting against intestinal infectious and pulmonary diseases among Kazakhstani children during the development of virgin and fallow lands in the mid-1950s. The analysis of documents shows that the situation with infectious and pulmonary diseases among children was complex and characterized by a significant prevalence especially in the first year of life. Authors concluded that extensive sanitary and anti-epidemic measures at the national level, child care institutions supervision and the method of the Pirquet tuberculosis reaction had led to drop in childhood morbidity and mortality in some areas of the region. At the same time the analysis showed that the mortality rate among children in the first year of life in the region was higher than in the country as a whole. These data required further scientific and practical research by health authorities in terms of the study and practical application of medical-organizational mechanisms and measures.