Abstract:
Background: Rickets is a disease that affects children and adolescents during times of rapid
growth. Nutritional rickets remains prevalent in developing regions of the world and ranks
among the five most common diseases in children. Although there are some pocket studies
conducted in localized areas, the burden of nutritional rickets in eastern Ethiopia is not well
studied and documented.
Objectives: To assess prevalence of rickets and its associated factors among under five
children in selected public hospitals of Harar, Haramaya and Dire Dawa towns ; Eastern
Ethiopia, from February 23 to March 10, 2017.
Methods: Hospital based cross sectional study was conducted on 590 under five children at
Dire Dawa Dilchora hospital, Haramaya district hospital and Harar Hiwot Fana hospital. All
under five children who came to the hospital during data collection period were included until
the allocated sample for each hospital was fulfilled. A pre-tested semi structured questionnaire
was used to collect quantitative data. Diagnosis was done based on clinical sign and symptoms
of rickets; presence of at least two clinical signs confirmed diagnosis for rickets. Odds ratio
with 95% confidence interval estimated to identify factors associated with rickets using
multivariable logistic regression analysis. Finally, statistical significance had been declared at
p-value < 0.05.
Result: Total of 590 under five children took part in the study, of whom 7.8%; 95% CI: (5.70
– 10.20) were clinically diagnosed for rickets. Being under the care of caregivers AOR=6.67,
(1.69–26.36), Early initiation of complementary feeding AOR=0.176(0.04 – 0.81), Dressing the
child fully during time of direct sun exposure AOR=15.74(4.20 – 58.96), Not oil massaging the
child while direct sun exposure AOR=5.055(1.77 – 14.47) and Being sick in the last one month
AOR=4.05(1.50 – 10.91) were significantly associated with occurrence of rickets in this study.
Conclusion and Recommendation: From the study rickets was found to be major public
health problem among under five children. The causes of rickets were diverse, multidimensional
and interrelated. Therefore the regional health bureaus and the health institutions in
collaboration with the community and involved partners should jointly work to conduct
preventive measures.
