Abstract:
Background: Infantile colic is characterized by episodes of unexplained crying in a healthy, thriving
infant, typically starting in the 2nd or 3rd week of life and resolving by 3 or 4 months of age.
Although its global prevalence is high and its causes are multifactorial based on studies done in
developed countries, there is paucity of studies on the magnitude and its risk factors in Ethiopia.
Objective: To determine the magnitude and associated factors of infantile colic among infants
attending pediatrics outpatient clinics at public health care facilities in Wolkite Town, Gurage Zone,
Central Ethiopia Region, 2023.
Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 15 to June 15, 2023.
The study was conducted on a total of 422 random sample of infants less than 5 months of age
who attended pediatrics outpatient clinics at the public health care facilities in Wolkite town
during data collection period. We collected data via an interviewer-administered questionnaire and
a review of medical records. We performed a binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis to
identify potential risk factors associated with infantile colic. We used adjusted odd ratios (ORs) and
95% confidence intervals (CIs), and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Result: The magnitude of infantile colic was found to be 24.6% (95% CI: 20.1, 28.9). This study
found that monthly income below the living wage for family (AOR=2.560, 95% CI:1.090,6.013) ,
father’s age 25 to 29(AOR=0.209, 95% CI:0.072,0.607), father’s age 30 to 52(AOR=0.375, 95%
CI:0.153,0.916), non-exclusive breast feeding (AOR=3.398, 95% CI: 1.755, 6.579) and house hold
smoking exposure (AOR= 7.315, 95% CI: 3.241, 16.507) were significantly associated with infantile
colic.
Conclusion: This study identified that one in four infants has infantile coli. Factors particularly
monthly income below the living wage for family, non-exclusive breast feeding and house hold
smoking exposure were significantly associated with infantile colic.
Recommendation; Physicians should actively raise awareness among parents regarding the
importance of exclusive breastfeeding and the avoidance of household smoking. Due to the potential
reciprocal influence between excessive crying and breastfeeding, researchers should conduct cohort
studies on large sample size to better establish causal relationships between infantile colic and
breastfeeding practices.
