Association of sociodemographic factors with diarrhea in children under 5 years in Rwanda

Abstract

Background: Diarrheal disease is the second leading cause of mortality and morbidity in children under 5 years worldwide and the most common cause of malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa. In Rwanda, diarrheal is the third cause of death in children under 5 years. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive secondary data analysis of the RDHS (2014-2015), examining the association of socio-demographic factors with diarrhea in children under 5 years. This study analyzed 7856 households. a descriptive statistic, bivariate analysis was done using Pearson’s Chi-square analysis and multivariate analysis and binary logistic analysis for finding the associations of variables with diarrhea and the p-value <0.05 was significant. Results: The overall prevalence of diarrhea was 12.1% in children under 5 years, the rotavirus coverage was 62% and no difference in developing diarrhea between males and females found. Diarrhea was increased with child age 11-23 months OR=4.415,95%CI (3.047-6.687). Low economic status found to increase diarrhea, where the poorer family were at high risk of developing diarrhea compare to children from the richest OR=1.64,95%CI (1.196-2.249). The children from the western province were found at high risk OR=1.439,95% CI (1.032-2.007), No education of the mother increased risk of diarrhea OR=5.163,95%CI (1.163-22.924) , and agricultural activities increased the risk OR:1.624,95% CI (1.003-2.629). Association of knowledge of ORS with mother age, province of origin, living in urban area were found and no association found with mother education status. Conclusions: Sociodemographic factors affects significantly the risk of developing diarrhea in children under 5 years and the mother knowledge for ORS. Designing and implementing health education, awareness of simple early interventions are essential tools in the Rwandan community. further study for attitudes, knowledge and practices of caregivers towards children with diarrhea is needed.