Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease
Volume 31, 2019

Risk factors for acute childhood diarrhea: A cross-sectional study comparing refugee camps and host communities in Gambella Region, Ethiopia (Article)

Mekonnen G.K.* , Alemu B.M. , Mulat W. , Sahilu G. , Kloos H.
  • a Addis Ababa University, Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Ethiopia, Haramaya University, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Harar, Ethiopia
  • b Haramaya University, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Harar, Ethiopia
  • c University of Connecticut, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Storrs, United States
  • d Addis Ababa University, Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Ethiopia
  • e University of California, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, San Francisco, United States

Abstract

Background: Diarrhea is one of the most common causes of child morbidity and mortality in refugee camps, aggravated by inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene services, and malnutrition, particularly in developing countries. Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted to assess acute diarrhea and associated risk factors among under-five children in refugee and host communities in Gambella Region, Ethiopia. Descriptive statistics were used, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to identify variables associated with diarrhea. Results: A total of 1667 under-five children was included in this study, and prevalence of diarrhea differed between the refugee (38%) and host (33%) communities [OR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.04, 1.8]. Refugee camp households using uncovered water containers, consuming low quantities of water, and lacking hand washing setups were more likely to report children with diarrhea. Within host communities, households were more likely to report acute childhood diarrhea if they consumed surface water or did not have a latrine. Conclusion: The two-week prevalence of diarrhea was significantly higher among children in the refugee camps than those in the host communities. Therefore, further collaboration between government and non-government organizations is required to identify persisting factors of diarrhea transmission in various communities in the region. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd

Author Keywords

Diarrhea Children Refugees Gambella Under-five Caregivers

Index Keywords

educational status household human controlled study acute diarrhea priority journal cross-sectional study hand washing male surface water defecation female Infant risk factor refugee camp prevalence Article Ethiopia water treatment major clinical study adult childhood disease participatory research Drinking Water water supply Water quality Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85063034577&doi=10.1016%2fj.tmaid.2019.02.003&partnerID=40&md5=d6c9da8efcf0be344daa956fe61249fd
DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2019.02.003
ISSN: 14778939
Original Language: English