Determination of Factors that Contribute to the Prevalence of Diarrhoea among Children Under Five Years of Age in Association with the Status of Drinking Water Sources at Bububu, Zanzibar

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the contributing factors for diarrhoea prevalence among children under-five years at Bububu, Zanzibar. The study applied a cross-sectional research design that used quantitative methods. Data were collected from 97 mothers/caregivers of the children. Structured questionnaires were used for assessing socio-economic factors contributing to diarrhoea. Laboratory experiments were carried out to assess the quality of drinking water sources. Most Probable Number (MPN) count per 100 ml was measured from drinking water sources. Multivariate logistic analysis was computed to assess independent factors of childhood diarrhoea. The prevalence of diarrhoea was significantly associated with; the caregiver’s level of education, large family size, nature of toilet used, drinking water storage, drinking water sources, belief that water is safe, household waste disposal, poor storage of baby’s food and washing hands with soap (p < 0.05). Pathogenic bacterial contamination was found to be high in borehole water sources and harvested rainwater compared to piped water sources (p < 0.05). Health education, drinking water treatment, improved sanitation and hygiene could have significant importance in the reduction of diarrhoea prevalence among under-five children in the study area.

Keywords:    Prevalence of diarrhoea, Social-economic factors, Bacteriological contamination, Drinking water, Under-five children.