Diarrhea and Associated Risk Factors in Under-Five In Rural Naze Community, Owerri North Local Government Area, State, Nigeria
Issue (Month/Year): (11 – 2016)
Publication Date: 30/11/2016
Subject: Environmental Epidemiology
Author’s Details: Azodo, R. C.
Co-author’s Details: C.O.A. Amadi, G. Iwuoha, C. Iwuala, C. Ebirim, A.N. Amadi.
Abstract
Diarrhea remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children under five years in sub-Sahara Africa, Nigeria inclusive. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of diarrhea and associated risk factors in rural community of Naze. Data were collected using WHO check list for diarrhea diseases. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and SPSS Version, 21. Twenty two percent (22%) out of 212 subjects studied had diarrhea. The level of association was dealt using p-value and odds ratio. The result showed Exclusive breast feeding (Yes=reference group and No, OR=1.46, p value= 0.334), Hand washing practice (Good = reference group and Poor, OR=1.12, p-value= 0.749), Weight (0-5kg, p-value=0.03, 6 11kg, reference group, 12-17kg, OR=0.248, p-value=0.000, 18-23kg, OR=0.238, p-value=0.057, =24kg, p-value= 0.02), Age (0-12 months =reference group,13-24 months, OR= 0.38, p-value= 0.0304, 25-36 months, OR=0.44, p-value=0.0730, 37-48 months, OR=0.171, p value= 0.0003), Family size (1-5=reference group, 6-10, OR= 0.47, p value=0.0244) and Maternal highest level of education (no formal education, p-value= 0.081, (primary education= reference group, secondary education, OR= 2.10, p-value=0.114, tertiary education, OR=2.28, p-value= 0.077) were associated with diarrhea prevalence in children under five years in Naze community. The occurrence of diarrhea was positively associated with exclusive breast feeding, hand washing practices, weight, age, family size and maternal educational status. There is need for health education on the control and prevention of diarrhea in under-5 children