Factors associated with zinc utilization for the management of diarrhea in under-five children in Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Zinc has a tremendous advantage to save the life of children. It reduces the mean duration of diarrhea and mortality due to diarrhea. Besides, it reduces the severity of the initial episode, and also it prevents future diarrhea episodes. But there is low utilization of zinc for the management of diarrhea in under-five children in Ethiopia and there is a paucity of literature regarding the factors associated with the utilization. Method The 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey data were used as a data source. A total weighted sample of 1228 under-five children with diarrhea within 2 weeks preceding the survey were used. A mixed-effects logistic regression analysis was done to account for the complex sample design of the data. Variables with p-value < 0.20 in the bivariable analysis were eligible for multivariable analysis and those variables with p value< 0.05 in the multivariable analysis were declared to be determinants of zinc utilization for the management of diarrhea in under-five children. Result In this study, we found multiple determinants of zinc utilization. Mothers with formal education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.83;95% CI; 1.30–2.58) and media exposure (AOR = 1.46;95% CI; 1.04–2.04) had higher odds of zinc utilization. But mothers from five and above household size (AOR = 0.57;95% CI; 0.39–0.82) had lower odds of zinc utilization for the management of diarrhea in under-five children. Conclusion In our study maternal education, media exposure, and household size were determinants of zinc utilization for the management of diarrhea in under-five children. Being having a formal education and being exposed to all or either of the three media (radio, TV, and newspaper) increases the likelihood of zinc utilization while being mothers from large household size decreases the likelihood of zinc utilization. Therefore, giving special attention to those mothers with no formal education, and mothers from high family size could increase the utilization of zinc for the management of diarrhea in under-five children. Also, media campaigns regarding diarrhea management could be scaled up to potentially achieve the desired impact.

The Co-Utilization of Oral Rehydration Solution and Zinc for Treating Diarrhea and Its Associated Factors Among Under-Five Children in Ethiopia: Further Analysis of EDHS 2016

“…The odds of giving ORS and zinc to their under-five children with diarrheal disease were higher among mothers who had formal education as compared to those who have no formal education. The finding of this study is in line with a study conducted in Nigeria, 23 Ethiopia, 18 and India Gujarat. 22 This could be because educated women are more conscious of their children’s health and are more likely to take their sick children to the nearest health institution.…”

“…The finding is supported by a study done in Ethiopia. 18 This could be because women with fewer family members have more time and are better able to care for their sick children. Furthermore, mothers in smaller households are less likely to experience parenting stress, which might affect recommended child-feeding practices and health-seeking behavior if their kid becomes ill.…”

“…Socio-demographic characteristics (maternal age, child age, sex, residence, education status, marital status, and wealth quintile) and factors like health insurance coverage, distance from the health facility, household size, and media exposure were included as independent variables. 14 , 18 In this study, media exposure was categorized as yes and no by using the variables (frequency of watching TV, reading a newspaper, and listening to the radio) from the dataset. Accordingly having media exposure was defined as if an individual was exposed to all or either of the three and having no exposure if an individual was not used at least one of those the above mentioned.…”

Does Therapeutic Zinc Level of Supplementation for Diminutions of Acute Diarrheal Morbidity Varied in Public and Private Health Institutions in Ethiopia, Data from EDHS 2016?

“…Even though with availability of simple and effective treatment for diarrhea, approximately 480,000 under-five children yearly died due to diarrhea [ 4 ]. Zinc supplementation in children decreases the incidence, duration, and severity of diarrhea duration 19.7% and mortality 23%, following supplementation [ 4 , 5 ]. Despite the administration of zinc is one of the most cost-effective ways of preventing death among children from diarrhea, nearly all low- and middle-income countries have the policy to use zinc for diarrhea treatment [ 6 ].…”

“…The prescription and intent to give therapeutic zinc for diminutions of acute diarrhea varied across the world, 49% in Bangladesh, 18% in Tanzania, 10% in Nigeria, 15% in Sudan, and 21.54% in Ethiopia [ 1 ]. Of the East African countries, Uganda had the highest (40.51%) and Comoros was the lowest (0.44%) ever reported countries [ 1 , 4 ]. The recommended dosage of therapeutic zinc for the treatment of acute diarrhea is 20 mg per day for above six and 10 mg per day for under six months of children until 10–14 days were prescribed [ 1 ].…”