Diarrhoeal diseases in under-five children in Emekuku, Nigeria: A hospital-based case-control study

Background: Patterns of Diarrhoeal disaease among underfives was determined in Emekuku, Nigeria Methods & Materials: Structured questionnaires were administered to caregivers of children. Cases were 88 children with loose, watery faeces pathologically diagnosed with diarrhoea captured immediately after diagnosis by the physician and administered with the questionnaire. Controls were 88 children diagnosed of any other disease other than diarrhoea. Results: Most cases of diarrhoea were acute (93.2%) while 5% were bloody, with mean number of stools/child/day being 4.3 times (SD 1.92). Age (6-12 month) (OR = 2.164,95%CI = 0.16-28.98); breast-feeding (complementary feeding) (OR = 1.649,95%CI = 0.186-14.63) (P < 0.001); birth weight < 2.5 kg (P < 0.026), maternal employment (unemployed women) (OR = 2.575,95%CI = 0.94-7.030); toilet type (pit toilet) (OR = 8.199,95%CI = .44-154.37); hand washing with water only (P < 0.001); rain water (OR = 3.189,95%CI = 0.08-117.12); and crowding index (>3 in a room) (OR = 2.407,95%CI = 0.98-5.88) were significantly associated with diarrhoeal disease. Conclusion: Interventions encouraging exclusive breastfeeding and hygiene prctices should be scaled up.