Burden of childhood diarrhea and cholera outbreaks in the Lake Tana Basin (Ethiopia): Review.

OBJECTIVES

Diarrhoea is one of the leading causes of childhood morbidity and mortality, while cholera outbreaks are a major public health emergency insub-Saharan African countries. This study was aimed at investigating the link between climate changes and cholera outbreaks, and the burden of childhood diarrhoea in the Lake Tana Basin (Ethiopia).

METHODS

Research articles published in English were searched from Google scholar, PubMed, and Web of science and these were supplemented by a four-year secondary data of childhood diarrhoea and cholera outbreaks extracted from health management information system (HMIS) in 61 districts.

RESULTS

The mean prevalence of diarrhoea per 1000 children was 420 (95% CI:311.7; 528.6). The prevalence of childhood diarrhoea showed spatial and temporal variation hereby 16.4% (10/61) districts exhibited high prevalence (>201/1000 children). The prevalence of diarrhoea was significantly higher in boys compared to girls (p = 0.001), while the incidence of cholera was significantly higher in females compared to males (p < 0.001). Heavy precipitation and El-Niño events were linked to the episodes of cholera outbreaks.

CONCLUSIONS

Health interventions should consider spatial and temporal variations of diarrhoea. The cholera outbreak preparedness needs to be aware during the events of climate changes in the hotspot areas.