Prevalence and determinants of childhood diarrhoea among graduated households, in rural area of Shebedino district, Southern Ethiopia, 2013

Background: Despite dramatic declines in deaths due to diarrheal disease among infants and children in developing countries, diarrhea remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Even though Rota vaccine is not available to decrease morbidity and mortality due to diarrheal disease, Ethiopian government endorsed health extension program at 2004 and through it, the country was increasing latrine coverage and utilization, creating positive behavioral change in household level regarding personal hygiene and environmental sanitation to decrease the morbidity due to diarrhea, even though diarrhea remains second common cause of under-five mortality in the country. So the aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of childhood diarrhea among graduated households in rural area of Shebedino district, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was carried out in April 2013. A multi -stage sampling to reach household and systematic random sampling technique was used to select 769 graduated households that had at least one under-five children. Data were collected using a pre-tested and structured questionnaire by trained nurses. Bivariate and hierarchical logistic regression analyses were undertaken to identify determinant of childhood diarrhea. Results: Seven hundred sixty nine households were enrolled in the study making a response rate of 98.8%. The prevalence of childhood diarrhea was found to be 19.6 %,( 95% CI: (16.8, 22.4). The household graduated before 2003 EC ([AOR: 1.83, 95% CI (1.16, 2.89), two or more under five children [AOR: 1.96, 95% CI (1.23,3.12)], history of maternal diarrheal morbidity [AOR: 5.76, 95% CI:(3.50, 9.47)], mode of feeding by cup[AOR:2.13,95%CI:(1.09, 4.13)], and malnutrition [AOR:4.06,95% CI :(2.54-6.50)]were determinants of childhood diarrhea. Conclusion: Prevalence of childhood diarrhea was high. Time of household graduation, kebeles, and maternal diarrheal illness, mode of feeding and nutritional status were determinants of childhood diarrhea. Refreshing the graduated households on minimum of every two years and health extension program should focus on child care practice to prevent and control childhood diarrhea.