Unimproved water and sanitation contributes to childhood diarrhoea during the war in Tigray, Ethiopia: a community based assessment
Abstract Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is a global public health problem. The situation is worst in conflict areas, where people are displaced from their usual homes. Household supply of WASH and the incidence of diarrhoeal disease among children during the war in Tigray are not kn...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2023-05-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35026-6 |
| _version_ | 1827948137421996032 |
|---|---|
| author | Akeza Awealom Asgedom Birhanu Tewoldemedhin Abirha Askual Girmay Tesfay Kelali Kaleaye Gebreyowhannes Hayelom Birhanu Abraha Gessessew Bugssa Hailu Mesele Bahre Abrha Mache Tsadik Tesfay Gebregziabher Gebrehiwet Aregawi Gebreyesus Tilahun Desalew Yibrah Alemayehu Afework Mulugeta |
| author_facet | Akeza Awealom Asgedom Birhanu Tewoldemedhin Abirha Askual Girmay Tesfay Kelali Kaleaye Gebreyowhannes Hayelom Birhanu Abraha Gessessew Bugssa Hailu Mesele Bahre Abrha Mache Tsadik Tesfay Gebregziabher Gebrehiwet Aregawi Gebreyesus Tilahun Desalew Yibrah Alemayehu Afework Mulugeta |
| author_sort | Akeza Awealom Asgedom |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is a global public health problem. The situation is worst in conflict areas, where people are displaced from their usual homes. Household supply of WASH and the incidence of diarrhoeal disease among children during the war in Tigray are not known or documented. The objective of this study was to investigate the sources of drinking water, sanitation and hygiene practices, and the incidence of diarrhoeal diseases among children during the war in Tigray, Ethiopia. A cross—sectional study was conducted to collect data on selected WASH indicators in six zones of Tigray from August 4-20, 2021. Data were collected from a total of 4381 sample households selected by lottery. Descriptive analysis was performed and the analysed data are presented in tables, figures and explanatory notes. Binary logistic regression was performed to examine the relationship between independent and dependent variables. A total of 4381 households from 52 woredas participated in the study. Approximately 67.7% of the study participants reported that they relied on an improved source of drinking water during the war. Coverage of sanitation, hand washing, and menstrual hygiene during the war was reported as 43.9%, 14.5%, and 22.1%, respectively. The prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases among children was 25.5% during the war. Water source, latrine type, solid waste disposal and health extension worker visits were the significant predictors of the likelihood of diarrhoea in children (p < 0.05). The results of the study show that a decrease in services from WASH is associated with a higher prevalence of diarrhoeal disease among children during the war in Tigray. To prevent the high prevalence of diarrhoeal disease among children in war-torn Tigray, Ethiopia, improved access to water and sanitation is recommended. In addition, collaborative efforts are needed to engage health extension workers to provide appropriate promotion and prevention services to war-affected communities in Tigray, Ethiopia. Further comprehensive surveys of households with children over one year of age are recommended to assess access to WASH and the burden of WASH associated diseases. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T12:49:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9dc47b86f52545acbec6313fc080efe7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T12:49:40Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-9dc47b86f52545acbec6313fc080efe72023-05-14T11:17:11ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-05-011311710.1038/s41598-023-35026-6Unimproved water and sanitation contributes to childhood diarrhoea during the war in Tigray, Ethiopia: a community based assessmentAkeza Awealom Asgedom0Birhanu Tewoldemedhin Abirha1Askual Girmay Tesfay2Kelali Kaleaye Gebreyowhannes3Hayelom Birhanu Abraha4Gessessew Bugssa Hailu5Mesele Bahre Abrha6Mache Tsadik7Tesfay Gebregziabher Gebrehiwet8Aregawi Gebreyesus9Tilahun Desalew10Yibrah Alemayehu11Afework Mulugeta12Department of Environmental Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle UniversityDepartment of Hygiene and Environmental Health, Tigray Health BureauDepartment of Hygiene and Environmental Health, Tigray Health BureauDepartment of Parasitology, Tigray Health Research InstituteDepartment of Hygiene and Environmental Health, Tigray Health BureauDepartment of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle UniversityDepartment of Environmental Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle UniversityDepartment of Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle UniversityDepartment of Health Systems, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle UniversityOXFAM Emergency Response - Tigray Field OfficeTigray Health BureauDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle UniversityAbstract Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is a global public health problem. The situation is worst in conflict areas, where people are displaced from their usual homes. Household supply of WASH and the incidence of diarrhoeal disease among children during the war in Tigray are not known or documented. The objective of this study was to investigate the sources of drinking water, sanitation and hygiene practices, and the incidence of diarrhoeal diseases among children during the war in Tigray, Ethiopia. A cross—sectional study was conducted to collect data on selected WASH indicators in six zones of Tigray from August 4-20, 2021. Data were collected from a total of 4381 sample households selected by lottery. Descriptive analysis was performed and the analysed data are presented in tables, figures and explanatory notes. Binary logistic regression was performed to examine the relationship between independent and dependent variables. A total of 4381 households from 52 woredas participated in the study. Approximately 67.7% of the study participants reported that they relied on an improved source of drinking water during the war. Coverage of sanitation, hand washing, and menstrual hygiene during the war was reported as 43.9%, 14.5%, and 22.1%, respectively. The prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases among children was 25.5% during the war. Water source, latrine type, solid waste disposal and health extension worker visits were the significant predictors of the likelihood of diarrhoea in children (p < 0.05). The results of the study show that a decrease in services from WASH is associated with a higher prevalence of diarrhoeal disease among children during the war in Tigray. To prevent the high prevalence of diarrhoeal disease among children in war-torn Tigray, Ethiopia, improved access to water and sanitation is recommended. In addition, collaborative efforts are needed to engage health extension workers to provide appropriate promotion and prevention services to war-affected communities in Tigray, Ethiopia. Further comprehensive surveys of households with children over one year of age are recommended to assess access to WASH and the burden of WASH associated diseases.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35026-6 |
| spellingShingle | Akeza Awealom Asgedom Birhanu Tewoldemedhin Abirha Askual Girmay Tesfay Kelali Kaleaye Gebreyowhannes Hayelom Birhanu Abraha Gessessew Bugssa Hailu Mesele Bahre Abrha Mache Tsadik Tesfay Gebregziabher Gebrehiwet Aregawi Gebreyesus Tilahun Desalew Yibrah Alemayehu Afework Mulugeta Unimproved water and sanitation contributes to childhood diarrhoea during the war in Tigray, Ethiopia: a community based assessment Scientific Reports |
| title | Unimproved water and sanitation contributes to childhood diarrhoea during the war in Tigray, Ethiopia: a community based assessment |
| title_full | Unimproved water and sanitation contributes to childhood diarrhoea during the war in Tigray, Ethiopia: a community based assessment |
| title_fullStr | Unimproved water and sanitation contributes to childhood diarrhoea during the war in Tigray, Ethiopia: a community based assessment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unimproved water and sanitation contributes to childhood diarrhoea during the war in Tigray, Ethiopia: a community based assessment |
| title_short | Unimproved water and sanitation contributes to childhood diarrhoea during the war in Tigray, Ethiopia: a community based assessment |
| title_sort | unimproved water and sanitation contributes to childhood diarrhoea during the war in tigray ethiopia a community based assessment |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35026-6 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT akezaawealomasgedom unimprovedwaterandsanitationcontributestochildhooddiarrhoeaduringthewarintigrayethiopiaacommunitybasedassessment AT birhanutewoldemedhinabirha unimprovedwaterandsanitationcontributestochildhooddiarrhoeaduringthewarintigrayethiopiaacommunitybasedassessment AT askualgirmaytesfay unimprovedwaterandsanitationcontributestochildhooddiarrhoeaduringthewarintigrayethiopiaacommunitybasedassessment AT kelalikaleayegebreyowhannes unimprovedwaterandsanitationcontributestochildhooddiarrhoeaduringthewarintigrayethiopiaacommunitybasedassessment AT hayelombirhanuabraha unimprovedwaterandsanitationcontributestochildhooddiarrhoeaduringthewarintigrayethiopiaacommunitybasedassessment AT gessessewbugssahailu unimprovedwaterandsanitationcontributestochildhooddiarrhoeaduringthewarintigrayethiopiaacommunitybasedassessment AT meselebahreabrha unimprovedwaterandsanitationcontributestochildhooddiarrhoeaduringthewarintigrayethiopiaacommunitybasedassessment AT machetsadik unimprovedwaterandsanitationcontributestochildhooddiarrhoeaduringthewarintigrayethiopiaacommunitybasedassessment AT tesfaygebregziabhergebrehiwet unimprovedwaterandsanitationcontributestochildhooddiarrhoeaduringthewarintigrayethiopiaacommunitybasedassessment AT aregawigebreyesus unimprovedwaterandsanitationcontributestochildhooddiarrhoeaduringthewarintigrayethiopiaacommunitybasedassessment AT tilahundesalew unimprovedwaterandsanitationcontributestochildhooddiarrhoeaduringthewarintigrayethiopiaacommunitybasedassessment AT yibrahalemayehu unimprovedwaterandsanitationcontributestochildhooddiarrhoeaduringthewarintigrayethiopiaacommunitybasedassessment AT afeworkmulugeta unimprovedwaterandsanitationcontributestochildhooddiarrhoeaduringthewarintigrayethiopiaacommunitybasedassessment |