DETERMINANTS OF DIARRHEA AMONG UNDERFIVE CHILDREN IN FEDIS DISTRICT, EAST HARARGE ZONE,

Abstract

Globally, childhood diarrhea is amongst the most prevalent health problems and accounts for 9% of all deaths on children less than five years of age. In Ethiopia, childhood diarrhea is a major public health problem in which the prevalence ranges from 13.5-30.5%.Thus; it is indispensable to study the determinant factors of diarrhea among young children in different parts of the country including the study area. Objective: The objective of the study was to identify determinant factors associated with diarrheal disease among the under five years of age in Fadis district, east Hararghe zone, eastern, Ethiopia from March, to, April, 2020. Methods: Institutional based case-control study was used. A total of 469 (118 cases and 351 controls) were involved in the study. A pre tested structured questionnaire was used for the face to face data collection with caregivers or mothers of a child. Six trained Nurses were collected the data. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as proportions, mean and standard deviations; and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify determinants of diarrhea. P value of 0.05 was considered as a cut off point for statistical significance. Results: Childhood diarrhea were significantly higher among mother's/care taker's with no formal education (AOR= 4.28; 95% CI 1.80-10.12) history of maternal diarrhea(AOR=3.60;95%CI 2.17_5.96),less daily per capita water consumption less than 20 liters (AOR =3.15; 95% CI 1.86-5.32), and not hand washing during critical times(AOR= 3.38; 95% CI 3.15_3.62) . Conclusion: Childhood diarrhea were significantly higher among mother's/care taker's child history of malnutrition, no formal education, improper waste disposal method, breast feeding Less than 1 year, unimproved water sources latrine, and not hand washing during critical times Recommendation: Thus, health workers should give health information to mothers/caregivers on breast and child feeding, usage of improved water source, usage of improved latrine, proper waste disposal, and hand washing during critical times.