Water, sanitation, and hygiene access in Senegal and its impact on the occurrence of diarrhea in children under 5 years old

Abstract

Diarrheal diseases are the second leading cause of child mortality worldwide, occurring in about one in every nine child deaths, and were associated with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) access. In this study, we provided an overview of WASH indicators' evolution from 2000 to 2017 and their impact on the occurrence of diarrhea in children under 5 years old in Senegal. It was a retrospective cross-sectional study, in which we did a secondary analysis of data from the Joint Monitoring Program (JMP) for water supply and sanitation and from the Senegal Demographic and Health Survey 2018. Our results showed that access to safely managed services increased by 18.1 and 19.1%, respectively, for water and sanitation. The prevalence of diarrhea estimated at 18.16% was associated with straining water through a cloth (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 1.21 [1.00–1.45]) and getting water supplies from a source not located in a dwelling (AOR [95% CI]: 1.59 [1.21–2.09]). The prevalence of diarrhea among children under 5 years old was still relatively high in Senegal and was significantly associated with a lack of WASH access. Although the latter continues to increase, additional efforts to make water safer to drink will significantly reduce the occurrence of diarrheal diseases among children under five in Senegal.

Exploring the association between household access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services and common childhood diseases using data from the 2017–2018 Demographic and Health Survey in Benin: focus on diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection

“…In the current study, after adjusting for potential confounders, we did not find a significant relationship between diarrhoea in children under 5 years and the water conditions in their households. It supports the conclusions of previous studies in Africa and Asia 9 10 12 13 16 17 50 52. Concerning ARI, we also did not observe a significant relationship between the occurrence of this condition and access to drinking water services.…”

“…In literature, several studies have investigated the predictors of diarrhoea and ARI in children under 5 years. We noted that children under 6 months and over 23 months have lower odds of diarrhoea 9–13. The odds of diarrhoea and ARI were higher in children of young mothers than in the ones with older mothers 10 12 14–17.…”

“…Environment-related variables included: area (urban, rural), department and collection month (November, December, January and February). These variables were identified following a literature review 9–18 50–53…”

“…Similarly, there is a negative relationship between the mother’s level of education with the odds of diarrhoea and ARI in children under 5 years 10–14 17 18. Also, children under 5 years living in the wealthiest households appear less likely to suffer from diarrhoea and ARI than those in poorer households 9 10 12–16 18. There is also that water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) conditions could also play a role in preventing diarrhoea morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years.…”

Associations of WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program (JMP) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Service Ladder service levels and sociodemographic factors with diarrhoeal disease among children under 5 years in Bishoftu town, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

“…22 23 Factors for diarrhoeal disease occurrence are multifactorial, and it is frequently documented that diarrhoeal disease is linked to several sociodemographic, environmental and behavioural factors. 24 Notably, it is believed that type of occupation, household income level, age of the child and waste disposal systems are the main contributors to diarrhoeal disease among children. 16 25 26 Particularly, poor access and lack of WASH services are responsible for 90% of diarrhoeal disease occurrences.…”