Abstract:
Abstract
Introduction: Diarrheal disease is the second leading cause of death in under five
children. Most of the death due to diarrhea is reporting in developing countries. To prevent
this highly prevalent problem, identifying the contributing factors across different settings
is necessary. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the determinants of acute diarrhea
among under five-children at Dessie referral hospital, Northeast Ethiopia.
Objective: This study aimed to identify determinant of acute diarrhea among under five
children in Dessie Referral Hospitals, Northeast Ethiopia, 2019.
Methods: An institution-based unmatched Case-control study was conducted among
under five children in Dessie referral hospital. A systematic random sampling technique
was used to select participants. Data was collected by face to face interview using
pretested structured questioner. Data was entered using Epi-info version 7 and exported
to SPSS version 20.0 for further analysis. Bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression
analyses were fitted to identify the determinants. Variables with p-value < 0.05 were
considered as statistically significant.
Results: A total of 306 participants (case=77, control=229) enrolled in the study with a
response rate of 100 %. The study revealed that improper child stool disposal [AOR; 4.12
95%CI(1.25,13.5)], absence of home based water treatment [AOR;
2.85,95%CI(1.27,6.42)],lack of hand washing at critical times [AOR;5.47,
95%CI(1.68,17.8)], not being exclusively breastfeed [AOR;3.32, 95%CI(1.21,9.14)],not
get counseling from health professional [AOR; 3.23,95%,CI(1.15,13.5)], feed the child left
over food [AOR;2.96, 95% CI(1.19,7.32)] and maternal diarrhea [AOR;6.06;95%CI
(2.42,15.22)] were determinants of acute diarrhea among under five children.
Conclusion and recommendation: Most of the determinants of acute diarrhea in the
study area were preventable. Thus, collaborative intervention by giving emphasis health
education to mothers about the importance of personal and environmental hygiene, safe
food handling, exclusive breastfeeding and home based water treatment are essential.
Key words: Acute; Diarrhea; Determinants; Ethiopia; Children.
