Socio-economic, behavioral and environmental factors associated with diarrhea among under five children in health development and non-health development army member mothers in Wondogenet, south Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: Diarrhea is one of the leading causes of death in children in sub-Saharan countries where socio-economic, behavioral and environmental factors play significant roles in causation and distribution of the disease. Ethiopia has established Health Development Army (HDA), a neighborhood women group which enhances active participation of women in health promotion activities. Despite HDA has been implemented for the last couple of years, its effect on the major childhood diarrhea has not been studied in Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of HDA initiative and other factors related to childhood diarrhea. Method: A community based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted to compare prevalence of diarrhea among 406 children from HDA and 402 non- HDA member mothers. Households with under five children were included. Data were collected using pre- tested questionnaire through a household survey. Multivariate logistic regression was used to measure the association between diarrhea and independent variables. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to report the relative effect of explanatory variables on diarrhea. Result: The reported prevalence of under five diarrhea among children from HDA (11.1%) was lower than among those from non-HDA (18.4%) member households (P. Value=0.004). Under five years children from non-HDA member households were two folds more likely to have diarrhea compared to those in HDA members [AOR: 1.88, 95%CI (1.05, 3.37)]. Child from privately employed mothers[OR: 5.08, 95%CI (1.88, 13.66)], distance of latrine from the house [OR: 2.63, 95%CI (1.16, 5.97)], households without separate kitchen[OR: 3.42, 95%CI (1.77, 6.62)], washing hands without soap [OR: 2.37, 95%CI (1.06, 5.27)] and improper disposal of child feaces [OR: 0.10, 95%CI (0.05, 0.23)] predicted child diarrhea. Conclusion: Prevalence of diarrhea was reduced among children from HDA member households. Safe Hygiene practices should be emphasized in order to prevent diarrhea among children. Introduction