Prevalence of acute diarrhea and its risk factors among under five children in flood affected Dasenech District, Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Flooding exacerbates health challenges by spreading waterborne diseases like diarrhea through the destruction of sanitation infrastructure and contamination of drinking water sources. However, evidence on the prevalence and contributing factors of diarrheal diseases among under-five childre...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-05-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02120-w |
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| author | Getasew Yirdaw Habitamu Mekonen Bayou Tilahun Assaye Gashaw Azanaw Amare Chalachew Yenew |
| author_facet | Getasew Yirdaw Habitamu Mekonen Bayou Tilahun Assaye Gashaw Azanaw Amare Chalachew Yenew |
| author_sort | Getasew Yirdaw |
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| description | Abstract Flooding exacerbates health challenges by spreading waterborne diseases like diarrhea through the destruction of sanitation infrastructure and contamination of drinking water sources. However, evidence on the prevalence and contributing factors of diarrheal diseases among under-five children in the Dasenech district is limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of acute diarrhea and its determinants among under-five children in flood-affected areas of the South Ethiopia region. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1 to July 15, 2024, in flood-affected areas of the Dasenech district, involving 696 under-five children. Five kebeles were purposively selected, followed by the proportional allocation of households, after which a systematic sampling technique was applied to identify study participants. Data were collected using a pretested and structured questionnaire administered by trained interviewers. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with acute diarrhea, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval (CI). The prevalence of acute diarrhea was 31.6% (95% CI: 28.7–34.3%). Significant predictors of acute diarrhea included non-adherence to exclusive breastfeeding (AOR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.65–3.98), lack of latrines (AOR: 12.08, 95% CI: 9.77–13.13), unsafe disposal of child excreta (AOR: 3.86, 95% CI: 2.38–6.26), home delivery (AOR: 6.02, 95% CI: 5.53–8.82), and a recent history of diarrhea among mothers or caregivers (AOR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.33–5.66). Acute diarrhea is highly prevalent among under-five children in the Dasenech district. The findings underscore the need for targeted public health measures, such as improving waste management, promoting exclusive breastfeeding, constructing and utilizing latrines, and addressing maternal and caregiver health, to mitigate the burden of diarrheal diseases in this vulnerable population. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9fe146cc82d14c4f97ff577e471e60bf |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-9fe146cc82d14c4f97ff577e471e60bf2025-08-20T03:10:13ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-02120-wPrevalence of acute diarrhea and its risk factors among under five children in flood affected Dasenech District, Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional studyGetasew Yirdaw0Habitamu Mekonen1Bayou Tilahun Assaye2Gashaw Azanaw Amare3Chalachew Yenew4Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos UniversityDepartment of Human Nutrition, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos UniversityDepartment of Health Informatics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos UniversityDepartment of Environmental Health Sciences, Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor UniversityAbstract Flooding exacerbates health challenges by spreading waterborne diseases like diarrhea through the destruction of sanitation infrastructure and contamination of drinking water sources. However, evidence on the prevalence and contributing factors of diarrheal diseases among under-five children in the Dasenech district is limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of acute diarrhea and its determinants among under-five children in flood-affected areas of the South Ethiopia region. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1 to July 15, 2024, in flood-affected areas of the Dasenech district, involving 696 under-five children. Five kebeles were purposively selected, followed by the proportional allocation of households, after which a systematic sampling technique was applied to identify study participants. Data were collected using a pretested and structured questionnaire administered by trained interviewers. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with acute diarrhea, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval (CI). The prevalence of acute diarrhea was 31.6% (95% CI: 28.7–34.3%). Significant predictors of acute diarrhea included non-adherence to exclusive breastfeeding (AOR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.65–3.98), lack of latrines (AOR: 12.08, 95% CI: 9.77–13.13), unsafe disposal of child excreta (AOR: 3.86, 95% CI: 2.38–6.26), home delivery (AOR: 6.02, 95% CI: 5.53–8.82), and a recent history of diarrhea among mothers or caregivers (AOR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.33–5.66). Acute diarrhea is highly prevalent among under-five children in the Dasenech district. The findings underscore the need for targeted public health measures, such as improving waste management, promoting exclusive breastfeeding, constructing and utilizing latrines, and addressing maternal and caregiver health, to mitigate the burden of diarrheal diseases in this vulnerable population.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02120-wAcute diarrheaDasenech districtEthiopiaFlood-affectedUnder-five children |
| spellingShingle | Getasew Yirdaw Habitamu Mekonen Bayou Tilahun Assaye Gashaw Azanaw Amare Chalachew Yenew Prevalence of acute diarrhea and its risk factors among under five children in flood affected Dasenech District, Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study Scientific Reports Acute diarrhea Dasenech district Ethiopia Flood-affected Under-five children |
| title | Prevalence of acute diarrhea and its risk factors among under five children in flood affected Dasenech District, Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Prevalence of acute diarrhea and its risk factors among under five children in flood affected Dasenech District, Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence of acute diarrhea and its risk factors among under five children in flood affected Dasenech District, Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence of acute diarrhea and its risk factors among under five children in flood affected Dasenech District, Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Prevalence of acute diarrhea and its risk factors among under five children in flood affected Dasenech District, Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | prevalence of acute diarrhea and its risk factors among under five children in flood affected dasenech district southern ethiopia a cross sectional study |
| topic | Acute diarrhea Dasenech district Ethiopia Flood-affected Under-five children |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02120-w |
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