Diarrheal status and associated factors in under five years old children in relation to implemented and unimplemented community-led total sanitation and hygiene in Yaya Gulele in 2017

Mamo Z Degebasa,1 Zezebe Dawit,2 Mokonnon T Marama3 1Department of Maternal and Child Health, Yaya Gulele Woreda, Fitan, Ethiopia; 2Department of Epidemiology, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia; 3Department of Midwifery, College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the diarrheal status and associated factors of under five-years old children among implemented and unimplemented community-led total sanitation and hygiene (CLTSH) in Yaya Gulele district, Ethiopia, in 2017. Methods: Community-based comparative cross-sectional study involving 380 households from each implemented and unimplemented CLTSH area was conducted from December 1 to June 30, 2017. Pretested structured questionnaire and a complete observational checklist were used to collect data. Qualitative data were collected via focused group discussions and analyzed manually. Data were checked and entered to Epi-info 3.5.4 and analyzed by SPSS version 20. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were computed Results: In this study, 88% implemented and 66% unimplemented CLTSH had latrine. Of households owning latrine, 85% in implemented and 75% in unimplemented CLTSH utilize latrine properly. In the study area, 12% in implemented and 34% in unimplemented CLTSH area practice open defecation. Two weeks period diarrhea prevalence was 13.4% (95% CI: 10.2–17.3%) in implemented CLTSH and 36.3% (95% CI: 31.7–41.6%) in unimplemented CLTSH. Having two or more children under five years old (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.33; 95% CI: 1.09–4.96), lack of clean water storage (AOR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.16–4.80), negative attitude of mothers/caregivers toward diarrhea (AOR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.06–4.04), presence of feces in the compound (AOR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.10-3.22), and lack of hand washing facility in the compound (AOR = 2.64; 95% CI: 1.47–4.74) were associated factors of the outcome. Conclusion: Implementation of CLTSH is the applicable tool to reduce diarrhea prevalence. Having two or more children under five years old, unclean water storage, negative attitude of mothers toward diarrhea, existence of feces in the compound, and lack of hand washing facility in the compound were associated factors to the diarrheal status of children under five years old. Health workers and local authorities inspire the community to clean water-storage facilities and the environment, to change mothers’ behavior toward diarrhea, as well as construct hand washing facility in the compound. Keywords: CLTSH, diarrhea, under-five children, Yaya Gulele distric