Risk factors of diarrhea in children under 5 years in Al-Mukalla, Yemen

Authors

• Ali S. Bahartha, From the Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Hadhramout University, Al-Mukalla, Hadhramout, Yemen
• Jalil I. AlEzzi, From the Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Hadhramout University, Al-Mukalla, Hadhramout, Yemen

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the risk factors associated with diarrhea among children below 5-years-old in Mukalla, Yemen, and compare with other studies. Methods: We conducted a case-control study on 200 children (100 cases and 100 controls) who attended the Maternity and Child Hospital, outpatient-clinics, and the Primary Health Care Centers in Al-Mukalla, Hadhramout, Yemen between February and April 2013. Results: We found that the significant risk factors associated with diarrhea were crowded housing (odds ratio [OR] 2.02; p =0.02; confidence interval [CI] 1.03-4.01), incomplete vaccination of the child (OR=2.02; p =0.027; CI: 1.08-3.8), and recurrent diarrheal illness during the last 3 months (OR=6.61; p =0.001; CI: 3.41-12.90). Conclusion: Diarrheal diseases are strongly associated with incomplete vaccination, recurrent diarrheal disease, and crowded housing.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

720

Last Page

724

Recommended Citation

Bahartha, Ali S. and AlEzzi, Jalil I. (2015) "Risk factors of diarrhea in children under 5 years in Al-Mukalla, Yemen," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 36: Iss. 6, Article 11.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2015.6.11266