Yonas Bzuwerk, Sisay Tadesse, Gizeyatu Adinew, Feleke Alelgne, Daba Chala, Gebrehiwot Mesfin
Independent Researcher, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
Heliyon. 2024 Mar 20;10(7):e28394. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28394. eCollection 2024 Apr 15.
Diarrheal diseases are significant causes of under-five children mortality and morbidity in developing countries. This is particularly alarming among the community living in conflict zones where less attention is given for basic services including water, food, and health. However, there are no detailed investigations on acute diarrhea among under-five children in conflict-affected areas, which impedes intervention approaches. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the prevalence of acute diarrhea and associated factors among under-five children in conflict-affected setting of Raya Kobo, Northeast Ethiopia.
A community-based cross-sectional study was employed among 463 under-five children in Raya Kobo district, from February to March 2021. The study participants were selected from ten rural kebeles. Pre-tested questionnaire and observational checklist were used to collect the data. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were computed to identify factors associated with the prevalence of acute diarrhea.
The prevalence of acute diarrhea among under-five children was 21% (95% confidence interval (CI): 18.50-23.91%). Unimproved drinking water source (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.89; 95%CI: 1.38-6.06), disposal of garbage in open field (AOR = 3.33; 95%CI:1.66-6.67), having low monthly income (AOR = 5.73; 95%CI: 3.07-10.59), absence of latrine facility (AOR = 3.18; 95%CI: 1.09-8.78), poor hand washing practice at critical times (AOR = 2.52; 95%CI:1.28-4.05), not regularly cleaning food utensil before child feeding (AOR = 2.54; 95%CI:1.31-4.94), and not received Rota vaccine (AOR = 4.28; 95%CI: 1.82-10.11) were the determinant factors.
To reduce the burden of acute diarrheal diseases, post-war intervention approaches should emphasize on advocating for Rota virus vaccination, regularly cleaning food utensils before feeding, improving hand washing practice at critical times, provision of improved drinking water source, and use of proper solid and domestic sewage discharge/disposal methods.
腹泻病是发展中国家五岁以下儿童死亡和发病的重要原因。这在冲突地区的社区中尤其令人担忧，因为在这些地区，包括水、食物和卫生在内的基本服务受到的关注较少。然而，在受冲突影响地区，尚未对五岁以下儿童的急性腹泻进行详细调查，这阻碍了干预措施的实施。因此，本研究旨在评估埃塞俄比亚东北部拉亚科博受冲突影响地区五岁以下儿童急性腹泻的患病率及相关因素。
2021年2月至3月，在拉亚科博地区对463名五岁以下儿童进行了一项基于社区的横断面研究。研究参与者从十个农村行政区中选取。采用预先测试的问卷和观察清单收集数据。通过双变量和多变量逻辑回归分析来确定与急性腹泻患病率相关的因素。
五岁以下儿童急性腹泻的患病率为21%（95%置信区间（CI）：18.50 - 23.91%）。未改善的饮用水源（调整后的优势比（AOR）= 2.89；95%CI：1.38 - 6.06）、在露天场地处理垃圾（AOR = 3.33；95%CI：1.66 - 6.67）、月收入低（AOR = 5.73；95%CI：3.07 - 10.59）、没有厕所设施（AOR = 3.18；95%CI：1.09 - 8.78）、在关键时间洗手习惯差（AOR = 2.52；95%CI：1.28 - 4.05）、在儿童喂食前不定期清洁餐具（AOR = 2.54；95%CI：1.31 - 4.94）以及未接种轮状病毒疫苗（AOR = 4.28；95%CI：1.82 - 10.11）是决定因素。
为减轻急性腹泻病的负担，战后干预措施应强调提倡接种轮状病毒疫苗、在喂食前定期清洁餐具、改善关键时间的洗手习惯、提供改善后的饮用水源以及采用适当的固体和生活污水排放/处理方法。
