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Prevalence and predictors of diarrhea among children under five in Ghana
Marian Yenupini Kombat1, Sandra Boatemaa Kushitor2,3, Edward Kofi Sutherland2,4
1Department of Community Health, Ensign Global College, Kpong, Ghana. Yenupini@gmail.com.
Insights
Childhood diarrhea remains a significant public health issue in Ghana. This study identified key predictors like child
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Global Health
Background:
- Childhood diarrhea is a major global public health concern and the fourth leading cause of child mortality in Ghana.
- Despite ongoing interventions, diarrhea incidence persists, necessitating further investigation into its contributing factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the predictors of diarrhea among children under the age of five in Ghana.
- To identify key demographic and regional factors associated with childhood diarrhea.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, a cross-sectional study.
- Included 2,547 children under five years old.
- Employed logistic regression analysis to determine associated factors and explanatory variables.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of childhood diarrhea was 11.7%.
- Higher prevalence observed in male children (13.4%) and those in rural areas (12%), especially in the Brong Ahafo region (17%).
- Significant predictors included child's age (6-35 months), maternal age and education, child's sex, and region of residence.
Conclusions:
- Existing diarrhea interventions in Ghana require evaluation based on identified predictors.
- Intensified regional monitoring and awareness campaigns on diarrhea prevention are recommended, particularly in transition and savannah zones.
- Stakeholders should integrate identified predictors into intervention designs to reduce childhood diarrhea morbidity and mortality.
Background:
Globally, childhood diarrhea is a major public health concern. Despite numerous interventions that have been put in place to reduce its incidence over the years, childhood diarrhea remains a problem and is the fourth leading cause of child mortality in Ghana. This study examined the predictors of diarrhea among children under the age of five in Ghana.
Methods:
Data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health survey, a cross-sectional survey, was used for the purpose of this study. A total of 2,547 children under the age of five were included in this study. Logistic regression analysis was performed to establish the factors associated with childhood diarrhea and ascertain explanatory variables.
Results:
The prevalence of diarrhea was 11.7%. Male children (13.4%) and those living in rural areas (12%), particularly in the Brong Ahafo region (17%) recorded the highest prevalence of diarrhea. Children aged 6 to 35 months of age, maternal age and education, sex of children and region of residence were the predictors of diarrhea among children under the age of five years in this study.
Conclusion:
To lessen the prevalence of diarrhea among children under five in Ghana, existing interventions must be evaluated in the context of the predictors identified. Based on observations deduced from this study, the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service and other health regulatory agencies should intensify monitoring and awareness in the various regions, particularly in the transition and savannah zones on the causes, risk factors, and methods of preventing diarrhea in children under five. Various stakeholders including government and non-governmental organizations should take into account the predictors of diarrhea identified in the design of interventions to effectively reduce morbidity and mortality associated with childhood diarrhea.
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