DETERMINANTS OF DIARRHEAL DISEASE AMONG UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN IN DAMBOYA DISTRICT, KEMBATA ZONE, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Diarrhea is defined as the passing of three or more loose or watery stools within a day. It's the second leading cause of death among under-five children worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan African countries, including Ethiopia. Although there have been studies conducted on childhood diarrhea in different parts of Ethiopia, literature on its determinants in this district is scarce. Objective: To assess the determinants of diarrheal disease among under five children in Damboya district, Kembata Zone, Central Ethiopia, from February 1st to 28th, 2023. Methods: A community based case-control study was conducted among 492 under five children; 163 cases and 329 controls in Damboya district. The study participants were selected by systematic sampling technique. Data collection was carried out using a structured questionnaire by 12 trained health professionals. The data were entered into EpiData version 4.6 and exported to Stata version 17. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize study variables. Logistic regression model was fitted and multivariable analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with childhood diarrhea, where p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: From the studied variables, age of child 6-11 months (AOR=3.92;95% CI:1.50,10.24) & 12-23 months (AOR=2.45;95% CI:1.09,5.50), unimproved latrine (AOR=5.54;95% CI:2.79,11.00), unprotected source of drinking water (AOR=4.98;95% CI:2.32,10.68), poor hand washing practices at critical times (AOR=1.87;95% CI:1.11,3.17), cow milk (AOR=6.93;95% CI:1.92,24.95) and adult food (AOR=6.58;95% CI:1.48,29.14), not using soap (AOR=3.86;95% CI:2.25,6.50) and mother’s poor knowledge on risk factors of diarrhea (AOR=1.92;95% CI:1.01,3.65) were significantly associated with diarrhea diseases among under-five children. Conclusions: The child's age, latrine type, child’s food type, washing hands at critical times, using soap, and knowledge on diarrhea risk factors, were predictors of childhood diarrhea. Thus, it is essential to regularly provide families with health education to improve sanitation and practice personal hygiene to reduce the burden of childhood diarrhea.