Priorities for intervention to prevent diarrhea among children aged 0–23 months in northeastern Ethiopia: a matched case-control study

Abstract Background The global public health problem of diarrhea is most prevalent in developing countries including Ethiopia, especially among children under two years of age. Limited information on the determinants of diarrhea among children aged 0–23 months hinders the design and prioritization of intervention strategies to address childhood diarrhea in Dessie City, northeastern Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the determinants of diarrhea in order to identify priority interventions for its control. Methods A community-based matched case-control study was conducted among children aged 0–23 months during January–February 2018. Cases defined as children with acute diarrhea, and controls defined as children without acute diarrhea, were matched by child’s age (months) and place of residence (residing in the same kebele, the lowest local administrative unit, each of which has a population of approximately 5000) during the two weeks prior to data collection. Data were collected from mothers/caregivers of the 119 cases and 238 matched controls using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and an observational checklist. Data were analyzed using conditional logistic regression model with 95% confidence interval (CI); variables with p < 0.05 from multivariable analysis were considered as significantly associated with acute diarrhea among children aged 0–23 months. Results Age of mothers/caregivers (> 35 years of age) (adjusted matched odds ratio [adjusted mOR] = 2.00; 95% CI: 1.37–5.8); divorced/widowed marital status (adjusted mOR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.26–3.3); lack of exclusive breastfeeding (adjusted mOR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.15–3.70); presence of feces within/around latrines (adjusted mOR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.21–3.50); lack of handwashing facility near latrine (adjusted mOR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.30–5.30); presence of domestic sewage discharge within and/or outside the compound (adjusted mOR = 3.29; 95% CI: 1.85–7.50) and practice of handwashing at fewer than three of the five critical daily times (adjusted mOR = 4.50; 95% CI: 2.54–9.50) were significantly associated with acute diarrhea among children aged under two years. Conclusion To reduce acute diarrheal disease among children under two, priority should be given to interventions that focus on improving exclusive breastfeeding practices, regular cleaning of latrines, advocating for availability of handwashing facility within/around latrines, use of proper domestic sewage discharge methods and improving handwashing practice at the five critical times each day. Strengthening communication that promotes hygiene and behavioural change may also raise awareness among mothers/caregivers and empower them to enhance handwashing practices at critical times.