Impact of water supply and sanitation on under-five children diarrheal morbidity in Butajira, Gurage zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Diarrheal diseases are still a major cause of under-5 children morbidity and mortality in developing countries around the world. The mortality and morbidity risk of these children can be reduced by improving water supply and sanitation services. Objective: To assess the impact of water supply and sanitation accessibility on under-five children diarrheal morbidity prevalence in Butajira town, Gurage Zone, SNNP Region. Method: A descriptive community based cross-sectional study with both quantitative and qualitative data methods was employed from April 10th to May 10th 2013 in Butajira, Gurage zone. A total of 165 households were surveyed. A total of 50 residents were engaged in a focus group discussion. Bi variate and multivariate analysis was done by SPSS version 16. Results: Improved water supply coverage of the town is 98.8%, the average per capita water consumption is 9.81 litters per day (±6.49 SD) and improved latrine coverage is 94%. From water supply factors, only distance of source for drinking water, hand washing facility around latrine have strong statistical association on final step of multivariate analysis, P = 0.037 [OR: 0.977 (0.955, 0.999) 95% CI] and P = 0.031 [OR: 2.436 (1.083, 5.481) 95% CI] respectively. Concerning sanitation factors, which are analysed by multivariate analysis, only functionality of the latrine found to have impact on children diarrhea, P = 0.024 [OR: 14.402 (1.425, 145.574) 95% CI].The 15 days childhood diarrheal prevalence of the area has found decreased by 9.5%. From the focus group discussion the main problem of water supply is interruption and from sanitation cleanness of latrine are the main current problems in the town.