Background Diarrheal disease remains one of the principal causes of morbidity and mortality in infants and children in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Risk factors for diarrhea vary by settings and have important implications for developing intervention strategies to reduce the burden of the disease. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess diarrhea prevalence and sociodemographic factors among under-five children in rural areas of North Gondar Zone. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2016 among 736 randomly selected households with one child under five years old. A structured questionnaire was used for collecting information on sociodemographic characteristics and diarrheal occurrence. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. The bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to determine the association between risk factors and diarrheal occurrence, and a p value < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results A total of 736 under-five children and their respondents were enrolled during the study period. Almost all respondents were biological mothers 96.4% (709/736), married 94.2% (693/736), and house wives 86% (632/736). The overall prevalence of diarrheal disease among under-five children was 22.1% (163/743). Of these, children with age group of less than one year old, 7.7 % (57/736), were commonly infected with diarrheal diseases. Children less than or equal to one year [AOR=1.82, 95% CI= (1.39, 4.63)], guardians [AOR=4.37, 95% CI= (1.73, 11.1)], and children with no breast feeding practice [AOR=3.13, 95% CI= (1.62, 6.03)] were the major risk factors for the occurrence of diarrhea. Conclusion Childhood diarrhea remains an important health concern in the study area. Occurrence of diarrhea was statistically associated with child age less than or equal to one year, educational status of mother/guardians, and breast feeding. To minimize the magnitude childhood diarrhea, various designing and implementing strategies, such as health education, child care, breast feeding, and weaning practice, integrated with the existing national health extension are quite essential.

BackgroundIn the sub-Saharan countries, many of the children including found in health facilities are not having sufficient care of diarrhea. Diarrheal disease in these countries is one of the main causes of deaths for under-five children.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study design was used to collect data from May–June, 2016 to determine environmental factors of diarrhea prevalence among under five children in North Gondar Zone. Structured interview questionnaire and observational checklist were used to collect data. Using probability proportion to size, number of households was determined in each district. The multivariable binary logistic regression analysis with a 95% confidence interval and p < 0.05.was used to identify environmental factors associated with childhood diarrheal disease.ResultsOf the total 736 individuals surveyed from 736 households, a total of 163 (22.1%) with [95% CI (19.1–25.1)] under –five children had 2 week period diarrhea prevalence. Roof material [AOR: 1.99, 95% CI (1.1–3.82)], hand washing facility [AOR: 0.52, 95%CI (0.33–0.82)], presence of Latrine facility [AOR: 1.65, 95% CI (1.01–2.72)], presence of feces around the pit hole [AOR: 1.65, 95% CI (1.01–2.72)], presence of feces around the house compound [AOR: 1.65, 95% CI (1.01–2.72)] and risk of contamination of household storage had significant associations with diarrheal morbidity.ConclusionThe prevalence of childhood diarrheal disease among under – five children in rural settings of northwest Ethiopia was high. Type of roof material, hand washing facility, presence of Latrine facility, presence of feces around the pit hole, presence of feces around the house compound and risk of contamination of household storage had significant associations with diarrheal morbidity.

BackgroundToday, close to a billion people mostl living in the developing world do not have access to safe and adequate water. Several studies in Ethiopia indicate that the majority of the drinking water sources had coliform count beyond the WHO standard. Therefore, Regular quality control mechanisms need to be in place. The objective of this study is therefore to determine the level of faecal coliform contamination of drinking water and its associated factors in North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in rural parts of North Gondar Zone from April to July, 2016. Water samples were taken from water sources using standardized water sampling techniques. Face-to-face interview with structured questionnaires were used to collect socio-economic and behavioral data. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done using logistic regression models.ResultsA total of 736 households participated in the study. The prevalence of positive faecal coliform at water sources in North Gondar Zone was found to be 56.5% (n=416) with [95% CI (53–60)]. In multivariate analysis, educational status [(AOR): 0.28, 95% CI (0.1–0.8], sanitary risk of contamination [AOR): 513, 95%CI (51–511)] and water shortage experience [AOR: 0.25, 95% CI (0.12–0.5)] are variables identified as predictors for faecal coliform contamination of water in the source.ConclusionIn this study, the prevalence of positive faecal coliform at water source was high. Educational status, sanitary Risk of contamination at the water source, water shortage experience had significant associations with the presence of faecal coliform in drinking water sources.

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Ethiopia is one of the developing countries where only 52% of its population have access to safe drinking water. To determine the level of faecal contamination in drinking water, the E. coli has been found to be the most specific indicator. The purpose of this study was to determine household bacteriological drinking water quality and its associated factors in rural North Gondar Zone Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in rural parts of North Gondar Zone from April to June, 2016. Water samples from water storage at household level were taken using standardized water sampling techniques to determine the level of faecal contamination. Face-to-face interview using structured questionnaires and checklist were used to identify the associated factors. A total of 736 households participated in this study. The prevalence of positive faecal coliform in the households is found to be 72.6% (95%C.I; 69.4–75.8). In multivariate analysis; occupational status [AOR; 0.35, 95%; CI (0.16,0.77)], income [(AOR);0.45, 95%; CI (0.3, 0.68)], type of solid waste disposal habit [AOR; 0.16, 95%; CI (0.36, 0.66)], source of water [AOR; 0.42, 95%; CI (0.28, 0.65)], shortage of water [AOR; 2.8, 95%; CI (1.88, 4)] were variables identified as predictors for faecal coliform contamination of water in the household. There is high level of faecal contamination of household drinking water in North Gondar Zone. Occupational status, income, solid waste disposal habit, sources of drinking water, and shortage of water were predictor for presence of faecal coliform contamination in household drinking water.