Childhood Diarrheal Disease among Under Five Children at Dejen District, Northwest Ethiopia

Type Journal Article - American Journal of Health Research
Title Childhood Diarrheal Disease among Under Five Children at Dejen District, Northwest Ethiopia
Author(s)
Volume 2
Issue 4
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2014
Page numbers 177-181
URL http://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajhr.20140204.22.pdf
Abstract
Background: Diarrheal diseases among under five children are among the three most important causes of
morbidity, and mortality in low income countries including Ethiopia. The problem is clear at Dejen district where childhood
diarrheal disease is the top cause of morbidity among under five children. With the aim of assessing prevalence of
childhood diarrheal diseases and associated factors, this study was carried out. Method: A community-based cross-sectional
study was conducted at Dejen district. Five of the 21 rural kebeles in the district were selected randomly, finally 710
households were chosen by systematic random sampling using existing list of all households as a sampling frame. Data was
collected using core questionnaire which was designed by WHO. Data entry and analysis was carried out using SPSS
version 20. The level of association was dealt using confidence interval and odds ratio. Result: the study conducted among
710 households with response rate of 96.4% shows that, the prevalence of diarrhea was 23.8%. Tube well water source
(AOR: 2.59,95%CI(169,3.95)), throwing away disposal of feces (AOR: 1.58,95%CI(1.10,2.26)), care giver’s hand washing
with water only (AOR: 1.61,95% CI(1.04,2.84)) and lack of vitamin A supplementation (AOR: 1.92,95% CI(1.35,2.74))
were significantly associated with diarrhea. Conclusion and Recommendation: the prevalence of childhood diarrhea is high
at Dejen. Tube well source of water, throwing away disposal of feces, poor hand washing practice of the care giver and lack
of vitamin A supplementation were significantly associated with childhood diarrheal disease. Improved access to piped
water, proper hand washing technique and vitamin A supplementation should be emphasized in developing world.

Related studies

»