Prevalence of Diarrhoea Disease Among Infants in an Urban and a Rural Local Government Area in Anambra State, Nigeria: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Introduction: Diarrhoea is the 10th most common cause of infant morbidity and mortality in the developing countries, though it is regarded as a minor illness in developed countries. The burden of diarrhoea in the developing world has been estimated by the world health organisation (WHO) to be about 1.7x109 episodes of diarrhoea with 4.4 million children per year. This accounts for 15 to 30% of total outpatient visits in many paediatrics clinics. Aim: To determine the prevalence of diarrhoea disease among infants and compare the risk factors for diarrhoea in infants in the two Local Government Areas (LGAs). Methodology: This was a comparative cross-sectional study. An interviewer-administered, pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was utilized. Data was analysed using SPSS Version 20. Frequencies and percentages were presented in tables. Chi square test of independence was used to determine association between qualitative variables. Level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Result: Two hundred and ninety one respondents participated in this study. There were 143 respondents in the urban LGA and 148 respondents in the rural LGA. In the urban LGA, Out of the 143 infants, 73 (51.0%) were males while 70 (49.0%) were females. Also in the rural LGA there were more males (50.7%). This difference was not statistically significant. Out of 143 respondents in the urban LGA 65 (45.5%) has had diarrhoea but in the rural LGA, out of 148 respondents, 95 (64.2%) have had diarrhoea. This difference was statistically significant. In the urban LGA 46.2% of the mothers whose infants have had diarrhoea practiced exclusive breast feeding, while in the rural LGA only 26.3% of the mothers whose infants have had diarrhoea practiced exclusive breast feeding. This difference was not statistically significant. Among the mothers of the urban infants that have had diarrhoea, 93.8% reported that they practice hand washing after handling child’s faeces, but in the rural LGA, only 80.0% reported that they practice hand washing. This difference was statistically significant. Among the urban mothers whose infants had diarrhoea, 92.3% wash their hands before meals, but among the rural mothers, only 89% wash their hands before meals. This difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Diarrhoea prevalence was higher among infants in the rural LGA. Exclusive breastfeeding was practiced more in the urban than in the rural LGA. We recommended that health education should be intensified in the rural areas.