Risk Factors of Diarrhea in Children Less Than 5 Years of Age in East Medni, Sudan Download PDF

Introduction: Diarrheal diseases in children is a global public health issue and it continues to kill the children under five years. Sudan is one of the major causes of under-five morbidity and mortality, and diarrheal diseases control in children has become a national priority of health Plans. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the risk factors of diarrheal diseases between children under 5 years in East Madni, Sudan. Methods:  This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Mothers of children who were suffered from diarrhea in the previous year were surveyed. A total of 150 mothers were taken for the sample. Informed written consent was taken and they were interviewed using a validated questionnaire. Mothers of the children in the area who have at least one child aged less than 5 years old and suffered from diarrhea in the past year who were willing to participate in the study were interviewed. Results: The majority (61%) of the mothers were aged between 25-45 years. It was revealed that contaminated water (13%), contaminated food (19%) and teething (10%) were the reasons that the mothers were aware of the causes of diarrhea. About, 85% of households used the public net as sources of drinking water and 32% had used clay pots for water storage. The result showed that most households (80%) had covered their stored water. Methods used to dispose of solid waste were burning (75%) and storage in a home (17%). However, 85% of households were used to dump the solid waste near their homes that would create breeding sites for insects. The distance from the house to the solid waste collection sites and mother's education level (p < 0.05) were associated with the risk of developing diarrhea in children. Conclusion: Potential risk factors associated with diarrheal diseases in this population were poor knowledge of the causes of diarrhea among mothers, the distance of solid waste collection sites from homes and poor disposal methods of solid waste. There is a need for health education to improve mothers' knowledge about diarrhea, its causes, and prevention‎.