scholarly journals Common gastrointestinal symptoms and associated factors among under five children in Rural Dembiya, northwest Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zemichael Gizaw ◽  
Ayenew Addisu ◽  
Destaye Guadie

Abstract Background Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, abdominal cramp, nausea, vomiting, gas in the GI tract, or changes in bowel habits (e.g., diarrhea) are common in the community. However, these symptoms may be misinterpreted and their impact and significance misunderstood, especially in the rural communities. This study was, therefore, conducted to assess common GI symptoms among children in rural Dembiya, northwest Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2017 among 225 randomly selected under five children. The presence of GI symptoms among children was assessed by health professionals and mothers’ report. Direct stool examination technique was used to identify parasitic infections. Bacteriological analysis of drinking water was done to determine the quality of drinking water. Food safety, environmental sanitation and hygiene condition of children were assessed using standardized observation checklists. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with GI symptoms on the basis of adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and p < 0.05. Results The current study depicted that 139 of 225(61.8%) of the children had GI symptoms. Abdominal discomfort [137 of 139(98.7%)], abdominal cramp [125 of 139(89.9%)] and diarrhea [118 of 139(84.9%)] were the highest GI symptoms reported. GI symptoms were significantly associated with childhood intestinal parasitic infections [AOR = 13.69, 95% CI = 3.31, 56.59)], unclipped and unclean finger nails [AOR = 2.28, 95% CI = (1.02, 5.10)], inadequate living environment sanitation [AOR = 2.37, 95% CI = (1.08, 5.18)], unclean living houses [AOR = 9.06, 95% CI = (2.60, 31.54)] and owning livestock [AOR = 4.68, 95% CI = (1.82, 12.03)]. Conclusion The prevalence of GI symptoms among under five children in rural Dembiya, northwest Ethiopia was found to be high. GI symptoms were significantly associated with childhood intestinal parasitic infections, hand hygiene condition of children and sanitation condition of the living environment. Therefore, preventing intestinal parasitic infections, improving hand hygiene condition and promoting environmental sanitation will have overriding contributions to prevent symptoms among children in rural Dembiya.

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117863022092736
Author(s):  
Zemichael Gizaw ◽  
Ayenew Addisu ◽  
Destaye Guadie

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, abdominal cramp, nausea, vomiting, gas in the GI tract, changes in bowel habits (e.g. diarrhea), or heartburn are common in the community. However, these symptoms may be misinterpreted and their impact and significance misunderstood, especially in the rural communities. This study was, therefore, conducted to assess common GI symptoms among children in rural Dembiya, northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2017 among 225 randomly selected under-5 children. We primarily used mothers’ report to assess GI symptoms. Health professionals also diagnosed for some symptoms. Direct stool examination technique was used to identify parasitic infections. Bacteriological analysis of drinking water was done to determine the quality of drinking water. Food safety, environmental sanitation, and hygiene condition of children were assessed using observation checklists. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with GI symptoms on the basis of adjusted odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and P < .05. Results: The current study depicted that 139 of 225(61.8%) of the children had GI symptoms. Abdominal discomfort (137 of 139 [98.7%]), abdominal cramp (125 of 139 [89.9%]), and diarrhea (118 of 139 [84.9%]) were the highest GI symptoms reported. GI symptoms were significantly associated with childhood intestinal parasitic infections (OR = 13.69, 95% CI = 3.31-56.59), unclipped and unclean finger nails (OR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.02-5.10), inadequate living environment sanitation (OR = 2.37, 95% CI = 1.08-5.18), unclean living houses (OR = 9.06, 95% CI = 2.60-31.54), and owning livestock (OR = 4.68, 95% CI = 1.82, 12.03). Conclusion: The prevalence of GI symptoms among under-5 children in rural Dembiya, northwest Ethiopia, was found to be high. GI symptoms were significantly associated with childhood intestinal parasitic infections, hand hygiene condition of children, and sanitation condition of the living environment. Therefore, preventing intestinal parasitic infections, improving hand hygiene condition, and promoting environmental sanitation will have overriding contributions to prevent symptoms among children in rural Dembiya.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 117863021989680
Author(s):  
Zemichael Gizaw ◽  
Ayenew Addisu ◽  
Mulat Gebrehiwot

Background: Soil-transmitted helminths and protozoan parasitic infections are endemic throughout the world. The problem of intestinal parasitic infection is higher among developing countries where children are the most vulnerable groups. Although health information related to parasitic infections is available globally, it is often limited in rural setups in least developed countries. This study was, therefore, conducted to assess socioeconomic predictors of intestinal parasitic infections among under-five children in rural Dembiya, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 224 randomly selected households with under-five children. We used questionnaire to collect data and direct stool examination to identify intestinal parasitic infections. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and P < .05 was used to identify socioeconomic predictors of parasitic infections. Results: We found that 25.4% (95% CI = [20.2, 31.1]) under-five children had intestinal parasitic infection. Ascaris lumbricoides was the leading infection, which accounted 44 of 224 (19.6%). The prevalence of childhood intestinal parasitic infections was higher among households with no members whose education level is secondary and above (AOR = 3.36, 95% CI = [1.23, 9.17]). Similarly, intestinal parasitic infections were statistically associated with presence of 2 under-five children in a household (AOR = 3.56, 95% CI = [1.29, 9.82]), absence of frequent health supervision (AOR = 3.49, 95% CI = [1.72, 7.09]), larger family size (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI = [1.09, 4.85]), and poor household economic status (AOR = 2.58, 95% CI = [1.23, 5.41]). Conclusions: Significant proportion of children was infected with intestinal parasitic infection in rural Dembiya. Educational status of family members, number of under-five children in a household, health supervision, family size, and wealth index were statistically associated with parasitic infections. Provision of anthelmintic drugs, health supervision, and health education targeted with transmission and prevention of infections are recommended.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bikes Destaw Bitew ◽  
Atalay Getachew ◽  
Jember Azanaw

Abstract Background Although there has been a global decrease in childhood diarrheal disease in parallel with improvements in the standard of living, it still remains a significant public health problem that occurs due to poor WASH status and other related factors that cause massive childhood morbidity and mortality particularly in sub-Saharan Africa countries including Ethiopia. Objective To assess diarrheal disease prevalence and associated factors among under-five children in periphery area of Azezo sub-city, Gondar, northwest Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2019. A simple random sampling technique was applied to recruit the eligible clusters/villages. Structured interview questionnaires were used to collect data. The completed data were entered into Epi Info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 20 for further analysis. A binary logistic regression model was used to process bivariate and multivariable analysis of the data to establish the association between dependent and independent variables. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% CI was used for the interpretation of data after controlling the confounders. Results The two-week prevalence of U5C diarrheal disease was 24.9% with 95% CI: (20.4 – 29.7). Age group of 1-12months [AOR: 9.22, 95%CI: (2.93-29.04)], age group of 13-24months [AOR: 4.44, 95%CI: (1.87-10.56)], low monthly income (AOR: 3.68, 95% CI: (1.81-7.51)], small family size [AOR: 0.32, 95% CI: (0.16-0.65)], poor hand washing practice [AOR: 8.37, 95% CI: (3.12-22.52), and immediate feed for cooked foods [AOR: 0.39, 95%CI: (0.19-0.81)] were significantly associated factors with childhood diarrhea. Conclusion Diarrhea was a common health problem among under-five children in the periphery area of Azezo sub-city. Age of children, family size, monthly income, hand-washing practice, and feeding time for cooked food were identified statistically significant risk factors. Therefore, an appropriate intervention program through health education would be recommended with a focus on identified risk factors to reduce the burden of diarrheal diseases.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zewudu Andualem ◽  
Asefa Adimasu Taddese ◽  
Zelalem Nigussie Azene ◽  
Jember Azanaw ◽  
Henok Dagne

Introduction: Acute respiratory infections are still a major public health problem resulting in morbidity and mortality among under-five children. This study aims to assess the extent of respiratory symptoms and associated risk factors among under-five children in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out from February to June 2019. From 792 study participants, data were collected via face to face interviews by using a semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire. Data were entered in Epi Info version 7 then exported to Stata 14.00 for analysis. Binary (Bivariable and Multivariable) logistic regression analysis was used to test the association of explanatory and outcome variables. Variables with p<0.05 were considered as significantly associated with the outcome variable.Results: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms among under-five children was 37.5% at [95% (CI: 34.3-41)]. Uterine irritability during pregnancy [AOR = 1.89 at 95% CI: (1.11-3.23)], physical exercise during pregnancy [AOR = 0.60 at 95% CI: (0.41-0.89)], using wood and coal for heating [AOR = 2.42 at 95% CI: (1.65-3.53)], cockroaches infestation [AOR = 1.95 at 95% CI: (1.36 – 2.90)], presence of new carpets [AOR = 2.38 at 95% CI: (1.33-4.29)], damp stain [AOR = 2.45 at 95% CI: (1.02-2.69)], opening windows during cooking [AOR = 0.58 at 95% CI: (0.36 - 0 .93)], living less than 100 m heavy traffic [AOR = 1.94 at 95% CI: (1.16-3.27)], and living less than 100 m (unpaved roads/streets) [AOR= 2.89 at 95% CI: (1.89-4.55)] were significantly associated with respiratory symptoms.Conclusion: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms among under-five children was relatively high in the study area. Personal and environmental characteristics influencing symptom occurrence were identified. Respiratory symptoms will be minimized by reducing exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution and enhancing housing quality.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0247075
Author(s):  
Tahir Eyayu ◽  
Teklehaimanot Kiros ◽  
Lemma Workineh ◽  
Meslo Sema ◽  
Shewaneh Damtie ◽  
...  

Background Intestinal Parasitic Infections are the most prevalent diseases in the world, predominantly in developing countries. It is estimated that more than two billion people are affected globally, mostly in tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world. Ethiopia is one of the countries in Africa with a high prevalence of intestinal parasites. However, there is a limited study conducted in the study area. Hence, this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasitosis among patients attending at Sanja Primary Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Sanja Primary Hospital from January 1 to August 20, 2019. Stool samples were collected from 1240 study participants and analyzed by direct wet mount and formal ether concentration techniques. Furthermore, sociodemographic and explanatory variables were collected using a face-to-face interview. Data were entered into Epi data version 4.4.2.1 and transferred to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression models were fitted to identify associated factors of intestinal parasitic infections. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was considered to ascertain the significance of the association. Results The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was 52.9% (95% CI: 50.2%-55.5%). Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (21.5%) was the leading cause of intestinal parasitosis followed by Hookworm species (13.3%). Furthermore, the rate of double and triple parasitic infections was observed in 6.1% and 0.5% of study participants respectively. Being Illiterate (AOR: 2.87, 95% CI: 1.06–7.47, p = 0.038), swimming habits of more than 4 times a month (AOR = 2.91, 95% CI 1.62–5.24, p< 0.001) and not washing hands before a meal (AOR: 3.92, 95% CI: 1.74–8.83, p = 0.001) were the key factors significantly associated with intestinal parasitic infection. Conclusions The present study showed that the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis is high in the study area. Therefore, there is a need for an integrated control program, including improving personal, environmental sanitation and health education should be given to have a lasting impact on transmission.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Venkatashiva Reddy B ◽  
Yadlapalli S. Kusuma ◽  
Chandrakant S. Pandav ◽  
Anil Kumar Goswami ◽  
Anand Krishnan

Background. Increased mortality is associated with poor household water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) practices. The objective was to study the WaSH practices for under-five children among households of Sugali Tribe, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in four mandals in 2012. A total of 500 households with under-five children were identified. Data was collected from mothers/caregivers. A summary WaSH score was generated from four specific indices, water, sanitation, hygiene, and hand washing practices, and determinants were identified. Results. Of the total households, 69% reported doing nothing at home to make the water safe for drinking. Over 90% of the households reported storing water in a utensil covered with a lid and retrieving water by dipping glass in the vessels. Open defecation was a commonly reported practice (84.8%). About three-fifths of the study’s households reported using water and soap for cleaning dirty hands and one-third (37.4%) reported using water and soap after defecation. The median WaSH score was 15. In the hierarchical stepwise multiple linear regression, only socioeconomic variables were significantly associated with WaSH score. Conclusion. WaSH related practices were generally poor in people of the Sugali Tribe in Andhra Pradesh, India.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Mulusew Alemayehu ◽  
Tsegaye Alemu ◽  
Ayalew Astatkie

Background. Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death among children under-five years globally and accounts for about 1.5 million deaths each year. In low-income countries, children under three years of age experience three episodes of diarrhea on average every year. In Ethiopia, diarrheal disease is one of the common causes of mortality in under-five children. In Benna Tsemay district, pastoralist community lives with lack of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene problems, which increase the risk of childhood diarrhea. Objective. To assess the prevalence and determinant of diarrheal disease among under five children in Benna Tsemay District, South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 722 under five children selected randomly from eight pastoralists and two agropastoralist kebels. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Logic regression was performed to identify the association between diarrheal disease and independent variables. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was used to judge the presence of association. Results. The two-week period prevalence of childhood diarrheal disease in the study was 23.5% (95% CI: 20.4%–26.6%). Diarrheal illness was associated with nonavailability of latrine (AOR: 2.77, 95% CI: 1.66–4.63), faeces seen around the pit hole or floor of latrine (AOR: 2.92, 95% CI: 1.38–6.19), improper kitchen waste disposal (AOR: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.26–4. 24), unprotected drinking water source (AOR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.14–2.88), mother’s or caretaker’s diarrhea history in the last two weeks (AOR: 6.74, 95% CI: 2.51–18.07), materials used for feeding the child (cup and spoon) (AOR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.36–0.97), and being unvaccinated for “rotavirus” (AOR: 2.87, 95% CI: 1.86–4.44). Conclusion. Nearly one-fourth of children had diarrheal illness in the preceding two weeks. Water, sanitation and hygiene-related factors, child feeding practice, and children’s vaccination status for rotavirus were the determinants of the occurrence of diarrhea among under-five children. The health office should conduct sustainable health education programs that emphasize on risk of open defecation, waste disposal mechanisms, and child feeding practices and also should strengthen rotavirus vaccination activities. The district administration and partners’ needed to improve water sources.


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