Modifiable diarrhoea risk factors in Egyptian children aged <5 years

Abstract

By conducting a case-control study in two university hospitals, we explored the association between modifiable risk behaviours and diarrhoea. Children aged <5 years attending outpatient clinics for diarrhoea were matched by age and sex with controls. Data were collected on family demographics, socioeconomic indicators, and risk behaviour practices. Two rectal swabs and a stool specimen were collected from cases and controls. Samples were cultured for bacterial pathogens using standard techniques and tested by ELISA to detect rotavirus and Cryptosporidium spp. Four hundred cases and controls were enrolled between 2007 and 2009. The strongest independent risk factors for diarrhoea were: presence of another household member with diarrhoea [matched odds ratio (mOR) 4.9, 95% CI 2.8-8.4] in the week preceding the survey, introduction to a new kind of food (mOR 3, 95% CI 1.7-5.4), and the child being cared for outside home (mOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.3-5.2). While these risk factors are not identifiable, in some age groups more easily modifiable risk factors were identified including: having no soap for handwashing (mOR 6.3, 95% CI 1.2-33.9) for children aged 7-12 months, and pacifier use (mOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.0-3.5) in children aged 0-6 months. In total, the findings of this study suggest that community-based interventions to improve practices related to sanitation and hygiene, handwashing and food could be utilized to reduce the burden of diarrhoea in Egyptian children aged <5 years.

Risk factors of diarrhea in children under 5 years in Al-Mukalla, Yemen

“…The first risk factor detected in this study is recurrent diarrhea, which is associated with malnutrition, failure to thrive, and adversely affects immunity so the child will be more susceptible to diarrhea ( p =0.001; OR=6.61; 95% CI: 3.41-12.90), which is similar to other studies. 13 - 17 The other risk factor is living in crowded houses, which increases susceptibility to diarrheal diseases (OR=0.02; 95% CI 1.03-4.01), which is similar to other studies. 6 , 8 , 11 , 14 Children who were incompletely vaccinated or not vaccinated at all were at risk for diarrheal diseases ( p =0.027; OR=2.02; CI: 1.08-3.80), again in agreement with other studies.…”

Risk Factors of Diarrhea in Children Under Five Years in Urban Slums

“…et al found that another member with diarrhea at home and no or faulty practices of hand washing also increases the diarrheal diseases. 29 In our study, instead of another diarrheal child in the same family, we had taken diarrheal child in the neighboring home.…”

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites among Children Attending Assiut University Children’s Hospital, Assiut, Egypt

“…In Egypt, intestinal parasitic infection in children is a common public health problem; in all governorates it was identified among infants, preschool and school children (Mansour et al, 2013). Though the reported prevalence rates in different parts of Egypt vary considerably from one study to another, however, nearly 27% of the children are suffering from intestinal parasites (Ibrahium, 2011).…”