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Prevalence of acute and persistent diarrhoea in north Gondar zone, Ethiopia
1Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Insights
This study found a high prevalence of dysentery and persistent diarrhea in children under five in northwest Ethiopia. Control measures and surveillance are recommended to reduce the burden of these childhood diarrheal diseases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Diarrheal diseases, including dysentery and persistent diarrhea, pose a significant health burden on children under five globally.
- Understanding the prevalence of these conditions is crucial for developing effective public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the magnitude of dysentery and persistent diarrhea in children under five in northwest Ethiopia.
- To identify risk factors associated with these diarrheal diseases.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted involving 1101 children under five.
- A two-stage random sampling technique identified participating households.
- Bloody diarrhea (dysentery) and diarrhea lasting 14 days or more (persistent diarrhea) were the primary outcome measures.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of diarrheal attacks within a two-week period was 18%.
- Persistent diarrhea affected 6% of children, and dysentery was present in 22.3% of those with diarrhea.
- Lower access to protected water sources and recent diarrheal attacks were significantly associated with diarrheal diseases.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of dysentery and persistent diarrhea was observed in the study population.
- The establishment of a simple surveillance system is recommended.
- Control measures should be implemented to reduce the burden of dysentery in young children.
Objectives:
A study was conducted to determine the magnitude of dysentery and persistent diarrhoea in children aged under-five.
Design:
A cross-sectional community-based survey was used to enroll the under-five children. A two-stage random sampling technique was applied to identify the households with under-five children.
Setting:
The study was conducted from March to May 1997 in two districts of North Gondar Administrative Zone that is located in northwest Ethiopia. Two urban dwellers associations and twelve peasant associations were covered by the study.
Subjects:
A total of 1101 under-five children were involved.
Main Outcome Measures:
Bloody diarrhoea and diarrhoea that persisted for fourteen days or more were the main outcome variables.
Results:
One hundred and ninety seven (18%) of the under five children had diarrhoeal attacks within two-week recall period. Sixty five (33%) of these had persistent diarrhoea. The prevalence of persistent diarrhoea was 6%. Of those who had diarrhoea, forty four (22.3%) had dysentery. Access to protected water source was significantly lower in children with diarrhoeal diseases than without (chi 2 = 4.31, p < 0.05). Significantly a higher number of children with diarrhoea had recent attacks of diarrhoea than those without diarrhoea (chi 2 = 176.82, p < 0.00001).
Conclusions:
A particularly high prevalence of dysentery and persistent diarrhoea was observed. Establishment of a simple surveillance system and taking of control measures to reduce the burden of dysentery is recommended.