Getachew Kabew Mekonnen1, Bezatu Mengistie Alemu2, Worku Mulat3, Geremew Sahilu4, Helmut Kloos5. 1. Addis Ababa University, Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Ethiopia; Haramaya University, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Harar, Ethiopia. Electronic address: gechmicro@gmail.com. 2. Haramaya University, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Harar, Ethiopia. Electronic address: bezatum@gmail.com. 3. University of Connecticut, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Storrs, USA. Electronic address: workulegesse@hotmail.com. 4. Addis Ababa University, Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Ethiopia. Electronic address: gsahilu@gmail.com. 5. University of California, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, San Francisco, USA. Electronic address: helmutk@comcast.net.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Diarrhea is one of the most common causes of child morbidity and mortality in refugee camps, aggravated by inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene services, and malnutrition, particularly in developing countries. METHODOLOGY: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted to assess acute diarrhea and associated risk factors among under-five children in refugee and host communities in Gambella Region, Ethiopia. Descriptive statistics were used, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to identify variables associated with diarrhea. RESULTS: A total of 1667 under-five children was included in this study, and prevalence of diarrhea differed between the refugee (38%) and host (33%) communities [OR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.04, 1.8]. Refugee camp households using uncovered water containers, consuming low quantities of water, and lacking hand washing setups were more likely to report children with diarrhea. Within host communities, households were more likely to report acute childhood diarrhea if they consumed surface water or did not have a latrine. CONCLUSION: The two-week prevalence of diarrhea was significantly higher among children in the refugee camps than those in the host communities. Therefore, further collaboration between government and non-government organizations is required to identify persisting factors of diarrhea transmission in various communities in the region.
BACKGROUND:Diarrhea is one of the most common causes of child morbidity and mortality in refugee camps, aggravated by inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene services, and malnutrition, particularly in developing countries. METHODOLOGY: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted to assess acute diarrhea and associated risk factors among under-five children in refugee and host communities in Gambella Region, Ethiopia. Descriptive statistics were used, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to identify variables associated with diarrhea. RESULTS: A total of 1667 under-five children was included in this study, and prevalence of diarrhea differed between the refugee (38%) and host (33%) communities [OR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.04, 1.8]. Refugee camp households using uncovered water containers, consuming low quantities of water, and lacking hand washing setups were more likely to report children with diarrhea. Within host communities, households were more likely to report acute childhood diarrhea if they consumed surface water or did not have a latrine. CONCLUSION: The two-week prevalence of diarrhea was significantly higher among children in the refugee camps than those in the host communities. Therefore, further collaboration between government and non-government organizations is required to identify persisting factors of diarrhea transmission in various communities in the region.