Factors associated with watery diarrhoea diseases in under-five children in Chakari Mine of Sanyati District in Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe .September 2011.

Abstract

Globally, there are about 3.2 million deaths worldwide in children under 5
years from diarrhoea every year (WHO, 2010). Child mortality and morbidity mostly results
from contaminated food and water sources. Reported attack rates in developing countries
range from 1 to 12 episodes per child per year. Kadoma District before it was split once
experienced outbreak of diarrhoea in 2007 where 34 children under five years died. Chakari
mine area experienced an increase of watery diarrhoea cases since week 26 from 6% to 17%
by week 39 of September 2011. The increase was noticed on the 6th of September 2011 of
which 74% of the cases were Children under the age of 5 years presenting with watery
diarrhoea, fever and some with vomiting. We set out to describe the outbreak and identify
risk factors and institute prevention and control measures. Methodology: An unmatched 1:1
case control was carried out. A case was any child under five years of age who presented
with diarrhoea, with or without vomiting and other symptoms from the 6th of September 2011
and has been resident in Chakari mine for two weeks prior to onset of the symptoms. A
diarrhoea case was defined as having passed three or more loose stools within 24 hours.
Controls were any child who did not develop diarrhoea from the 6th of September up to the
day of the interview, and has been a resident neighbour of Chakari mine for the previous two
weeks. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Checklist for
resources was used. Multivariate analysis for risk factors was done using EPI INFO V 3.5.3
statistical package. Results: A total of (76) case caregivers and (76) control caregivers were
interviewed. Cold Sadza and cold porridge were statistically significant risk factors which
were associated with contracting watery diarrhoea with Odds Ratio [13(95%CI 2.3, 71.7)
p=0.00034] and [OR, 28.7(95% CI 2.2, 362.7)p=0.0096] respectively. Cold vegetables were
protective from contracting diarrhoea with Odds Ratio [0.1(95% CI 0.01, 0.96) p=0.05].
Washing of hands in one bowl at home was the only independent risk factor which was
statistically significant associated with contracting diarrhoea in Chakari mine at adjusted
Odds Ratio [11.4(95% CI 1.86,70.1) p=0.008]. Discussion and Conclusion: Cold Sadza and
cold porridge was the major risk factors associated with contracting watery diarrhoea in
Chakari. The major finding indicated that the food was being contaminated by the practice of
washing hands using the same bowl. The caregivers need health education on the importance
of hand washing before eating using the run to waste method. The water for Chakari mine
needs Chlorination to improve its quality.