Social and Environmental Determinants of Diarrheal Diseases among Children under Five Years in Epworth Township, Harare

Abstract

Children five years or younger in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are severely affected by diarrheal disease, especially in the sub-Saharan region. Hence, this study aimed at determining the prevalence and determinants of diarrhoea disease among children under 5 years in Epworth Township, Zimbabwe. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at a local clinic in Epworth Township, Harare. A convenience sampling strategy was used to recruit study participants for participation, and 386 children were enrolled in the study. The majority were male children (n = 229; 59.3%), whereas there were more female caregivers (n = 370; 95.9%) than male caregivers (n = 16; 4.1%). The prevalence of diarrhoea disease in the study was 25.1%. The determinants associated with diarrhoea were being partially vaccinated (AOR 2.38, CI: 95% 2.80–8.22), collecting water more than 1 kilometre from a household (AOR 4.55; CI: 95% 2.10–9.85), and using untreated water (AOR 6.22; CI: 95% 2.13–18.20). The age of the caregiver (being older than 21) and using a clean water container (AOR 0.05; CI: 95% 0.02–0.13) were protective factors. Provision of primary health care, especially the prevention of a disease through immunization and rendering environmental health services, could reduce the prevalence of diarrhoea in disadvantaged townships.

Assessment of factors related to caregivers and children on the IMCI program outcomes in Baghdad City in 2021

“…Similarly, Getachew and colleagues [14] discovered significant associations between various factors such as roof material, hand washing facility, presence of latrine facility, presence of feces around the pit hole, presence of feces around the house compound, and risk of contamination of household storage with diarrheal morbidity among under-five Ethiopian children. In Zimbabwe, Chari et al [15] identified determinants linked to diarrhea among children under 5 years, including being partially vaccinated, collecting water more than 1 kilometer from a household, and using untreated water. Additionally, Paul [16] found that child stool disposal, floor materials, and roof materials in Indian households were significant predictors of childhood diarrhea occurrence among environmental factors.…”

Exploration of Infant Food Microbial Composition from Formal and Informal Settings Using Viable Counts and 16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Sequencing in Johannesburg, South Africa

“…Globally, diarrhoea remains a prime cause of sickness, disability, and death in children below age five [1,2]. The illness is common in developing countries and is closely linked to socioeconomic standing, environmental factors, and inability to access basic medical care [3]. It was projected that the disease causes 46% of mortality in Africa [1].…”