Risk Factors Associated with Diarrheal Episodes in an Agricultural Community in Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

In Vietnam, data on the risk factors for diarrhea at the community level remain sparse. This study aimed to provide an overview of diarrheal diseases in an agricultural community in Vietnam, targeting all age groups. Specifically, we investigated the incidence of diarrheal disease at the community level and described the potential risk factors associated with diarrheal diseases. In this prospective cohort study, a total of 1508 residents were enrolled during the 54-week study period in northern Vietnam. The observed diarrheal incidence per person-year was 0.51 episodes. For children aged <5 years, the incidence per person-year was 0.81 episodes. Unexpectedly, the frequency of diarrhea was significantly higher among participants who used tap water for drinking than among participants who used rainwater. Participants who used a flush toilet had less frequent diarrhea than those who used a pit latrine. The potential risk factors for diarrhea included the source of water used in daily life, drinking water, and type of toilet. However, the direct reason for the association between potential risk factors and diarrhea was not clear. The infection routes of diarrheal pathogens in the environment remain to be investigated at this study site.

Effects of poor water, sanitation, and hygiene on child health in Godawari Municipality, Lalitpur, Nepal, with special reference to diarrheal disease and nutritional status: a cohort study

“…The overall incidence of disease in children under-five was found to be higher when compared with a Vietnamese cohort study which showed 0.81 episodes. 22 However, a review article in India demonstrated a similar trend. 23 Our study targeted only children under the age of five years whereas, the Vietnamese study targeted all age groups.…”

“…The incidence rate in this cohort also showed wide variation with research from geographically, and culturally similar regions. 22,23 The unexpectedly low diarrhea prevalence among children from our baseline study 17 suggests a decreased transmission of diarrhea, perhaps because many families participating in the study had access to improved water sources, sanitation, and behavioral change due to FCHV's active role in those areas. At the time of the study, rotavirus vaccine had not been introduced into the national immunization program in Nepal.…”

Genomic characterization of endemic diarrheagenic Escherichia coli and Escherichia albertii from infants with diarrhea in Vietnam

“…The infrastructure, medical systems, and food production and food marketing systems that contribute to the improving public health are being developed. However, childhood diarrhea remains a public health problem in Vietnam [2].…”

Prevalence of Rotavirus and Adenovirus in a City Hospital in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye

“…In a scientific report published in 2012, it was stated that nearly 7 million children under the age of 5 died due to preventable and treatable diseases, and diarrhea was responsible for approximately 10% of these deaths [6]. It has been reported that children under 5 years of age have an average of 3 episodes per year in developing countries, while one (or less) episode of gastroenteritis in developed countries [7][8][9].…”