Childhood diarrheal morbidity in the Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana: socio-economic, environmental and behavioral risk determinants

Diarrhea has been identified as a major cause of childhood morbidity in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study examines two weeks incidence of diarrhea among children under six years in Accra. The results indicate that the household economic status and education of the mother are significant determinants of diarrhea. There is a significant association between diarrhea morbidity and access to water and sanitation facilities, hygiene practices, flies infestation and the regular consumption of street food. Integrated child health intervention programs including provision of facilities, maternal hygiene education and environmental health awareness have to be strongly implemented in order to reduce the high incidence of childhood diarrhea.