A case control study on determinants of diarrheal morbidity among under-five children in Wolaita Soddo Town, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Diarrheal disease is the most common cause of illness and the second leading cause of child death in the world. The disease accounts for 4.3% of the total global disease burden; the burden being greatest in the developing world including Ethiopia.

Objective: The aim was to assess potential determinant factors associated with diarrheal morbidity among under-five children in Wolaita Soddo Town, South Ethiopia.

Methods: A community-based case control study on 198 cases and 396 controls was conducted in Southern Ethiopia; cases were under-five children with diarrhea in the last 15 days of recall period. Three kebeles (one kebele from each sub-city) were first selected by a lottery method. Then a house to house survey was conducted to enumerate under-five children in the selected kebeles. During the enumeration identification number was given for the households with name and age of the child which was used as a sampling frame for the selecting cases and controls. For each case, two controls were selected randomly. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to show the strength of association.

Results: The odds of developing diarrheal morbidity was 2.6 times higher among children with fathers having no formal education compared to those with fathers educational status of high school completed (Adj OR=2.56, 95% CI:1.25, 5.25). Cases were about 4 times higher among families perceived that were to be economically very poor compared to families perceived rich or medium (Adj OR=.3.84, 95% CI:1.25, 11.82). Children in households with no latrine were about 13.5 times (Adj OR=13.45, 95% CI:3.58, 50.49) more likely to develop diarrhea compared to children with households with latrines. Treatment of drinking water showed a significant odds (Adj OR=2.34, 95% CI:1.33, 4.14) of developing diarrhea. Similarly, diarrheal diseases were higher among children whose mothers have poor knowledge of transmission methods and those who washed hands less frequently compared to those who did.

Conclusion: Poor housing, poor sanitation conditions, poor personal hygiene, and lack of relevant knowledge are strongly associated with the occurrence of diarrheal disease among children of under-five years of age. Health education should be given to the public especially to mothers and caretakers on personal hygiene. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2012;26(2):78-85]