Abstract:
Background: Diarrheal diseases are the major cause of morbidity and mortality among under-five children in low- and middle-income countries including Ethiopia. However, information related to the comparison of diarrheal diseases among residents in model and non-model kebeles is limited.
Objective: This study provides, the comparison of prevalence and associated factors of diarrhea among under five children in model and non-model kebeles of Elu District, 2023
Method: A community-based comparative cross-sectional study design was conducted from April 25 to May 30, 2023 among 580 systematically selected under five children of Elu district (from 290 model and 290 non-model kebeles). By simple random sampling method from both model kebeles and non-model kebeles was selected (by lottery method). The study participants were under-five children selected by systematic from both kebeles of Elu district. Data was collected by using structured questionaries’ and adapted from literature then, coded into epi info version 7 and analyzed by SPSS version 26. Descriptive analysis was done for appropriate variable. Variables with p value of ≤ 0.25 in binary logistic regression were selected for multiple logistic regression. Finally, statistical significance was declared by using p-value <0.05 and 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) for Adjusted Odds ratio.
Result: A total of 580 mothers/caregivers with at least one under-five child were enrolled in the study making a response rate of 99.3%. Overall, 92(15.9%) [(95% CI=12.9-18.8)] of children had diarrheal diseases in the last two weeks prior to the study. The prevalence of diarrheal disease among under-five children living in model and non-model kebeles were 34(11.7%) [(95% CI=7.9-15.9)] and 58(20%) [(95% CI=15.5-24.8)], respectively. Mothers/caregivers with history of diarrhea (AOR [95% CI=11.2(6.43-19.46]), Hand washing without using soap at critical times (AOR [95% CI=2.4(1.36-4.17]), family’s size ≥5 (AOR [95% CI= 2.4(1.34-4.22]) and open defecations (AOR [95% CI=2.2(1.27-3.73]) were factors associated with under five children diarrhea disease.
Conclusion: The prevalence of diarrhea among under five children in non- model kebele was higher compared with model kebeles. Mothers/caregivers history of diarrhea, Family size ≥5, Hand washing without using soap at critical times and Open defecation were significantly associated with diarrheal diseases in the district. Strengthening all non-model kebeles to become models had a significant implication to decrease the occurrence of diarrhea
