Prevalence of acute diarrhea and associated factors among children under five in semi-urban areas of northeastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Diarrheal disease is still one of the most common causes of mortality and morbidity in children under five in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Lack of specific data on the prevalence of acute diarrhea and associated factors among under-five children in the semi-urban areas of Gelsha, found in northeastern Ethiopia’s South Wollo zone, remains a major gap. Therefore, this study was designed to provide data that is important for proper planning of intervention measures to reduce the problem in this area. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 340 systematically selected children under five in semi-urban areas of Gelsha from January to March 2019. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire and an observational checklist. Bivariable (crude odds ratio [COR]) and multivariable analysis (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]) were employed using binary logistic regression model with 95% CI (confidence interval). Variables with a p-value < 0.05 from the multivariable analysis were declared as factors significantly associated with acute diarrhea. Result The prevalence of acute diarrhea among children under five in the study area was 11% (95%CI: 7.8–14.3%). About two-thirds (63.60%) of study participants used water from improved sources. About half (54.90%) of study participants practiced poor handwashing and 45.10% practiced good handwashing. We found that factors significantly associated with acute diarrhea were a child’s age of 12–23 months (AOR = 4.68, 95% CI: 1.45–1.50), the presence of two or more under-five children in the house (AOR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.19–6.81), unimproved water sources (AOR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.28–6.87) and presence of feces around the pit hole/slab/floor of the latrine (AOR = 3.34, 95% CI: 1.34–8.31). Conclusion The prevalence of acute diarrhea among children under five was relatively high. To reduce the problem, various prevention strategies are essential, such as the provision of health education to mothers/caregivers that focuses on keeping sanitation facilities clean and child care, and construction of improved water sources. Furthermore, implementing a strong health extension program, advocating an open defecation-free environment, and practicing a community-led total sanitation and hygiene approach might be helpful to sustainably reduce childhood diarrhea.

Association of drinking water and environmental sanitation with diarrhea among under-five children: Evidence from Kersa demographic and health surveillance site, eastern Ethiopia

“…Regarding the type of source of drinking water, our study showed that the likelihood of diarrhea was 50% higher among respondents who rely on unimproved drinking water sources. This finding is in line with the study conducted in north Ethiopia ( 30 ), south Ethiopia ( 31 ), west Ethiopia ( 32 ), northwest Ethiopia ( 29 ), and northwest Tigray ( 33 ). This could be attributed to the fact that unprotected water sources have a higher likelihood of being fecal-contaminated than unprotected water sources.…”

Exploring Household Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene and Acute Diarrhea among Children in St. Martin’s Island, Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The results of another study in Bangladesh support our observation indicating that the prevalence of diarrhea in children under age 5 declined from 13.7% at baseline to 3.6% at the end line of the WASH intervention area. 41 Similarly, Getahun et al 42 and Natnael et al 43 highlighted that unimproved sanitation facilities, practicing unsafe child feces disposal, and poor handwashing practices at critical times were significantly associated with acute diarrhea among children under 5 years in Ethiopia.…”

Frameworks for mitigating the risk of waterborne diarrheal diseases: A scoping review

“…The first component is problem identification involving community surveillance must be conducted to determine the burden, disease causative agent [62], high risk areas, characteristics of cases and other related factors of waterborne diarrhea diseases. The second component is Identification and quantifying of risks factors in the community should be done focusing on water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (hand washing) the major risk factors of waterborne diarrhea diseases [61,63] and other demographic, social economic behavioral and environmental related factors [64]. This should be followed by identification of evidence-based intervention(s) based on the risk's factors identified.…”