RISK FACTORS OF DIARRHEA AMONG UNDER FIVE YEARS CHILDREN: EVIDENCE FROM PAKISTAN Evidence from Pakistan Section Articles

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to determine the potential socio-economic and demographic risk factors of diarrhea among children under five years. We analyzed data of Pakistan demographic and Health Survey 2012-13; total numbers of respondents were 13558 whereas only those females were selected who have children under five years of age that reduced the sample to 7461 while 7049 were reported their children had experienced of diarrhea in last two weeks. The socioeconomic and demographic risk factors associated to respondents were compared among groups using logistic model and odd ratio. It was explored that respondents belonged to less hygienic household facilities (traditional source of cooking, traditional toilet facility and shared toilet facility) have reported diarrhea exposure among their children under the age of five years. It was found that children whose parents were using impure source of drinking water (OR=0.85, 95% CI, 0.70-1.03), traditional toilet facility (OR=0.79, 95% CI, 0.70-0.90), traditional cooking oil (OR= 0.80,95% CI, 0.71-0.89), have low or zero education (OR=1.40, 95% CI = 1.17-1.68), have less exposure to media (OR=0.80, 95% CI = 0.71-0.89), have toilet sharing attitude (OR=0.71, 95% CI = 0.60-0.85), living in urban areas (OR=0.84, 95% CI = 0.75-0.93), particularly in Baluchistan (OR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.38-0.66) and Gilgit Baltistan (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.56-0.98) are prone to the diarrhea exposure. A great deal of combined program including diarrhea awareness and availability of modern facilities are suggested to ensure in Pakistan particularly in Baluchistan and Gilgit Baltistan