Effect of Using and Preparing of Food on Diarrhea Disease for Children

Abstract

Introduction: In Iraq diarrhea is the main cause for clinical presentation among under 5-years child population next to pneumonia and it's also more common in rural than in capital Baghdad. Method: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in urban Baghdad Hospital Central for Children and in Al-Mohmmodia Hospital which was in rural city. Data were collected from the patient's record registration for each hospital (age, No. of child who is infected with diarrhea, Nutritional status, breast-feeding and water supply, and socio-economic status). Also, precoded questionnaires with sociodemographics, maternal and child characteristics, child feeding, and environmental conditions. Result: Total diarrhea percent under-10 years children in the urban capital Baghdad were lower than Baghdad's rural, that were 13.73 and 69.68 respectively. The difference in diarrhea percent among males and female for both hospitals was big and the difference was statically significant (p<0.01). Children in the age group less than one year had the higher prevalence of diarrhea to the extent of 51.16% in rural Al-Mohmmodia than capital Baghdad 14.34%, followed by the age 1 year and above had the lowest prevalence. The difference in the prevalence of diarrhea in different age groups was showed to be statically significant (p<0.01). Similarity, decreasing birth weight, immunization and vitamin A consumption, personal hygiene, overcrowding, garbage and exceta disposal, source of water, and caregiver status were found associated with increased diarrhea incidence (p<0.01). Conclusion: in this study the prevalence of diarrhea was higher in under-five children in rural Baghdad than capital Baghdad which was significantly associated with child's sex, child's age, maternal education level, and socio-economic parameter. Therefore, this study to show the differences between Baghdad city and its rural of diarrheal incidence in children less than 10 years, and to see which season effect diarrhea incidence more. The other objective is to find out association between certain risk factors and diarrhea among children less than 10 years.

Keywords: Diarrhea- risk factors- nutrition status- stunting- parasites and bacterial infection.