AUTHOR=Sahiledengle Biniyam , Atlaw Daniel , Mwanri Lillian , Petrucka Pammla , Kumie Abera , Tekalegn Yohannes , Desta Fikreab , Zenbaba Demisu , Mesfin Telila , Gomora Degefa , Agho Kingsley Emwinyore 

TITLE=Burden of Childhood Diarrhea and Its Associated Factors in Ethiopia: A Review of Observational Studies

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 69 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2024.1606399

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2024.1606399

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to: (i) determine the prevalence of diarrhea, and (ii) summarize current evidence on factors of acute diarrheal illnesses among under-five children in Ethiopia.Methods: A comprehensive systematic search was conducted in PubMed, SCOPUS, HINARI, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Global Index Medicus, DOAJ, and the Cochrane Library. Results: Fifty-three studies covering over 27,458 under-five children who met the inclusion criteria were included. The pooled prevalence of diarrhea among under-five children in Ethiopia was found to be 20.8% (95% CI: 18.69-22.84, n=44, I 2 = 94.9%, p < 0.001). In general, the evidence suggests that diarrheal risk factors could include: (i) child-level determinants (child's age, not being vaccinated against rotavirus, lack of exclusive breastfeeding, and being an under-nourished child); (ii) parental-level determinants (mothers' poor handwashing practices and a history of maternal recent diarrhea); and (iii) Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) determinants. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of diarrhea among children under the age of five remains high and is still a public health problem. The contributing factors to acute diarrheal illnesses were child, parental, and WASH factors.