Prevalence of Diarrhoea and Associated Sociodemographic Factors among Children Receiving Care in the Paediatrics Department of Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Background: The environmental problem that has been of great concern to inhabitants at the local, state and federal government levels is the generation and disposal of waste. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of diarrhoea and the associated sociodemographic factors among children receiving care in the paediatrics department of Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among caregivers attending the paediatrics department of the Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa, Bayelsa, State Nigeria. The sample size of 303 participants was recruited for this study. A systematic random sampling technique was used. The inclusion criteria was all caregivers of out-patients seen in the paediatrics department and have agreed to participate in the study. Thus, Care-givers of seriously ill children and caregivers that are not adults were excluded from this study. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect relevant information. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23 software. A descriptive analysis, chi-square test were performed, and inferential analysis was also performed, statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Ethical approval for the study was sought and obtained from the Research and Ethics Committee of the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Also informed consent was obtained from the prospective participants before recruitment.

Results: The mean age of the children was 8.56 ± 5.785 years old, with 176(58.1%) of the children being females. It showed that 172(56.8%) of the caregivers were females. A greater percentage age of the respondents was within 36-45 years with 119(39.3%) of respondents being in this age group. The overall prevalence of diarrheal disease among children aged 1month-18years was 53(17.5%). There was no significant association between age and sex of child with episodes of diarrhoea. Knowledge, attitude and practice on domestic waste management with proper washing of hands after defecating was significantly associated with episodes of diarrhoea.

Conclusion: This study concluded that the prevalence and period prevalence (2 weeks prior to the study) of diarrhoea was relatively low among children a month-18 years, who received care. Age and sex of child have no influence on episodes of diarrhoea. Thus, knowledge, attitude and practice on domestic waste disposal with proper washing of hands after defecating have influence on episodes of diarrhoea. The Government should minimize the magnitude of childhood diarrhoea by implementing various strategies, such as health education, improved child care, improved immunization services especially rotavirus and improved collection of waste from dump sites by the environmental sanitation authorities are quite essential.