A Cross Sectional Study on the Incidence and Risk Factors of Diarrheal Illness among Children Under-five Years of Age in Debre Berhan Town, Ethiopia

Diarrheal diseases are important causes of mortality and morbidity globally among children under 5 years of age. In Ethiopia, only few studies have been carried out to investigate the incidence and risk factors of diarrheal illness among children under- five years of age. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of diarrheal illness among children under-five years of age in Debre Berhan town, Ethiopia. A community based cross sectional study was conducted to assess the incidence and risk factors associated with diarrheal illness. Pre-tested structural questionnaire and observational check lists were used to collect data on the incidence and risk factors of diarrhea. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 18. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) test was employed to assess the associations between variables. Mothers/guardians of children with diarrhea were asked to provide detailed information about the incidence and factors associated with diarrheal illness. A total of 312 children were participated in the study, of which 38 were suffering from diarrhea, thus giving a two-week prevalence of 12.2%. The main risk factors for diarrheal illness were found to be lack of hand washing habits after latrine usage (OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.29 - 0.87), household storage of water in a pot (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.16 - 3.08), observation of feces on the slab/latrine hole (OR = 3.13, 95% CI: 1.51 - 6.48), lack of maternal education (OR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.28 - 5.08), age of mothers younger than 35 years (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.19 - 0.78) and age of children being 3 to 5(OR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.07 - 5.93). The findings showed that there is a high prevalence of diarrheal illness associated with various factors. Therefore, creating community awareness about diarrheal illness through addressing these risk factors should be prioritized.