Risk Factors for Diarrhea Cases in Communities Living Along Deli River, North Sumatera

Abstract

Background: Diarrhea disease is the second leading cause of death in children under five years old, and is responsible for killing around 525,000 children every year. Interventions to prevent diarrhea, including safe drinking-water, use of improved sanitation and hand washing with soap can reduce disease risk. This study aimed to investigate risk factors of diarrhea among communities living along Deli river, North Sumatera. Subjects and Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in communities living along Deli river, North Sumatera. A sample of 96 study subjects was selected for this study. The dependent variable was diarrhea. The independent variables were use of toilet, clean water, hand wash, processing of waste, human excreta. The data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by a multiple logistic regression. Results: The risk of diarrhea increased with lack of toilet use (OR=1.67; 95% CI=0.99 to 2.79; p=0.040), poor use of clean water (OR=1.66; 95% CI=1.02 to 2.70; p=0.035), hand washing without soap (OR=1.74; 95% CI=1.12 to 2.68; p=0.002), poor garbage management (OR=2.50; 95% CI=1.33 to 4.89; p=0.001), and improper human excreta disposal (OR=1.64; 95% CI=1.04 to 2.60; p=0.032). Conclusion: The risk of diarrhea increases with lack of toilet use, lack of clean water, hand wa-shing without soap, poor waste management, and improper human excreta disposal.