Factors associated with diarrhoeal diseases among children under 5 years in Buhoma Town Council, Kanungu District, Uganda.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/3c308h19Keywords:
Diarrhoeal diseases, children under 5 years, caretakers, WASH knowledge, WASH practices, water sanitation and hygieneAbstract
Introduction
This study assesses the association between caretaker and household environmental characteristics and the prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases among U5s in Buhoma Town Council, Kanungu District, Uganda.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study was carried out between October and November 2025. It involved 322 adult caretakers aged 18 years and above, selected by simple random sampling. The data were analysed using the Stata Version 18 SE package. Generalised linear modelling was used to assess the strength of association between variables, and statistical significance was assessed at the 95% confidence level and p-value < 0.05.
Results
Most caretakers (44.1%) were aged 20–28 years, and over 50% of children were aged 24–59 months. Diarrhoea prevalence was 24.2% (95% CI: 0.19–0.29) in the previous two weeks. Higher prevalence was associated with having 2 (aPR=1.65, p=0.03) or 3 (aPR=3.40, p=0.03) under-five children, caretakers aged 29–35 years (aPR=2.43, p=0.04), caretaker history of diarrhoea (aPR=2.02, p=0.01), and movable handwashing facilities (aPR=1.76, p=0.02). Lower prevalence was associated with fourth income quartile (aPR=0.36, p=0.01), ever breastfeeding (aPR=0.39, p=0.02), age 12–23 months (aPR=0.51, p=0.04), uncovered water containers (aPR=0.36, p=0.001), and having a latrine/toilet in the dwelling (aPR=0.27, p<0.001).
Conclusion
Approximately 20% of under-five children had diarrhoea in the previous two weeks. Having multiple under-five children, older caretakers, a caretaker history of diarrhoea, and movable handwashing facilities were associated with higher diarrhoea prevalence. Higher household income, breastfeeding, age 12–23 months, uncovered water containers, and having a toilet within the dwelling were associated with lower diarrhoea prevalence.
Recommendations
There is a need to strengthen targeted interventions for the prevention and control of childhood diarrhoea, particularly through improved hygiene and sanitation practices, appropriate breastfeeding, safe water handling, and health education for caretakers.
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