Assessment of Prevalence and Related Factors of Diarrheal Diseases among Under-Five Year’s Children in Debrebirehan Referral Hospital, Debrebirehan Town, North Shoa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Background: Diarrheal diseases are one of the top (major) leading causes of under-five morbidity, mortality and under nutrition in developing countries. In African countries including Ethiopia, each child on average suffers from five episodes of diarrhea per year while the two-week preva- lence ranges from 10% to 40% in different parts of Ethiopia. Objective: To assess prevalence and associated factors for the occurrence of diarrhea diseases among the under-five year’s children in Debrebirehan referral hospital. Method: A facility-based cross sectional study design was conducted among 483 children less than 5 years of age who came to Debrebirehan referral hospital from February 1, 2013 to June 30, 2013. Data were collected, entered analyzed by using SPSS statistical software version 16.0. A logistic regression model was used to associated factors for the occurrence of diarrhea diseases. Results: The prevalence of diarrhea among mothers and under-five children was 9.3% and 31.7%, respectively. Occupation of mothers (private workers) [(AOR: 2.004, 95% CI: (1.167 - 3.442)], occupation of fathers (farmers) [AOR: 1.427, 95% CI: (1.224 - 1.812)], maternal history of recent diarrhea [(AOR: 1.042, 95% CI: (1.015 - 1.219)], houses having one room [AOR: 1.297, 95% CI: (1.097 - 1.906) and houses having two rooms [AOR: 1.151, 95% CI: (1.032 - 1.716)], living with cattle in one house [AOR: 1.297, 95% CI: (1.097 - 1.906)], address (rural) [AOR: 2.527, 95% CI: (1.847 - 7.538)], feeding of gruel for children [AOR: 3.046, 95% CI: (1.408 - 6.587)], feeding of adult’s food for children [(AOR: 3.703, 95% CI: (1.324 -10.354)], method of dipping to take water from water containers [AOR: 1.371, 95% CI: (1.137 - 1.607) & water storage container without cover [(AOR: 1.304, 95% CI: (1.110 - 1.836)] had significant association with diarrheal diseases. Conclusion and Recommendation: In this study, the prevalence of diarrheal diseases was very high and major problem among under-five children. The health institutions efforts should be strengthened to decrease factors which increase diarrheal diseases.