Influences of Maternal, Child, and Household Factors on Diarrhea Management in Ecuador
Background: Acute diarrheal disease remains a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality, particularly among children under five. Despite being preventable and treatable, cultural, socioeconomic, and familial factors influence home management. This study examined how these factors shape chil...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/4/473 |
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| author | Karla Vargas-Gaibor Kevin Rendón-Viteri Geovanny Alvarado-Villa Marco Faytong-Haro |
| author_facet | Karla Vargas-Gaibor Kevin Rendón-Viteri Geovanny Alvarado-Villa Marco Faytong-Haro |
| author_sort | Karla Vargas-Gaibor |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Acute diarrheal disease remains a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality, particularly among children under five. Despite being preventable and treatable, cultural, socioeconomic, and familial factors influence home management. This study examined how these factors shape childhood diarrhea care in Ecuador. Objective: To analyze maternal, child, and household characteristics associated with diarrhea management in children under five years of age using data from the 2018 Ecuadorian National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT). Methods: This cross-sectional study applied logistic regression models to assess the influence of various factors on diarrhea management practices. Results: Maternal education, ethnicity, child’s age, household size, and urban or rural residence significantly influenced diarrhea management. Households with 4–6 persons (OR = 1.584, <i>p</i> < 0.05) and 7–9 persons (OR = 2.006, <i>p</i> < 0.05) had higher odds of receiving medical care. However, the child’s sex, birth order, maternal marital status, and socioeconomic status were not significant predictors. Conclusions: Although most children received some form of healthcare, disparities persisted, particularly in education level, ethnicity, and rural residence. These findings highlight the need for targeted maternal health literacy programs, culturally tailored interventions, and improved water-security initiatives to enhance diarrhea management and reduce inequities in care. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2c756abbc6f44eb899daaf68ecd6143a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj-art-2c756abbc6f44eb899daaf68ecd6143a2025-08-20T03:13:30ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-04-0112447310.3390/children12040473Influences of Maternal, Child, and Household Factors on Diarrhea Management in EcuadorKarla Vargas-Gaibor0Kevin Rendón-Viteri1Geovanny Alvarado-Villa2Marco Faytong-Haro3Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Espiritu Santo, Samborondon 0901-952, EcuadorFacultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Espiritu Santo, Samborondon 0901-952, EcuadorFacultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Espiritu Santo, Samborondon 0901-952, EcuadorFacultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Espiritu Santo, Samborondon 0901-952, EcuadorBackground: Acute diarrheal disease remains a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality, particularly among children under five. Despite being preventable and treatable, cultural, socioeconomic, and familial factors influence home management. This study examined how these factors shape childhood diarrhea care in Ecuador. Objective: To analyze maternal, child, and household characteristics associated with diarrhea management in children under five years of age using data from the 2018 Ecuadorian National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT). Methods: This cross-sectional study applied logistic regression models to assess the influence of various factors on diarrhea management practices. Results: Maternal education, ethnicity, child’s age, household size, and urban or rural residence significantly influenced diarrhea management. Households with 4–6 persons (OR = 1.584, <i>p</i> < 0.05) and 7–9 persons (OR = 2.006, <i>p</i> < 0.05) had higher odds of receiving medical care. However, the child’s sex, birth order, maternal marital status, and socioeconomic status were not significant predictors. Conclusions: Although most children received some form of healthcare, disparities persisted, particularly in education level, ethnicity, and rural residence. These findings highlight the need for targeted maternal health literacy programs, culturally tailored interventions, and improved water-security initiatives to enhance diarrhea management and reduce inequities in care.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/4/473acute diarrheachild healthcaresocioeconomic conditionsmaternal and child hygiene habitschild morbidity |
| spellingShingle | Karla Vargas-Gaibor Kevin Rendón-Viteri Geovanny Alvarado-Villa Marco Faytong-Haro Influences of Maternal, Child, and Household Factors on Diarrhea Management in Ecuador Children acute diarrhea child healthcare socioeconomic conditions maternal and child hygiene habits child morbidity |
| title | Influences of Maternal, Child, and Household Factors on Diarrhea Management in Ecuador |
| title_full | Influences of Maternal, Child, and Household Factors on Diarrhea Management in Ecuador |
| title_fullStr | Influences of Maternal, Child, and Household Factors on Diarrhea Management in Ecuador |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influences of Maternal, Child, and Household Factors on Diarrhea Management in Ecuador |
| title_short | Influences of Maternal, Child, and Household Factors on Diarrhea Management in Ecuador |
| title_sort | influences of maternal child and household factors on diarrhea management in ecuador |
| topic | acute diarrhea child healthcare socioeconomic conditions maternal and child hygiene habits child morbidity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/4/473 |
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