Investigating the Risk Factors of Diarrhea Among Children of Under Five (5) Years Using Ordinal Logistic Regression Analysis

Abstract

Diarrhea remains a significant global health challenge, particularly among children under the age of five, where it contributes substantially to morbidity and mortality rates. Despite being a preventable and treatable condition, it is a leading cause of malnutrition and death among young children, especially in developing nations like Nigeria. This study aims to investigate the association between specific risk factors and the occurrence of diarrhea among children under five years in Sokoto State, Nigeria. Data were collected from parents and guardians of children diagnosed with diarrhea at the Specialist Hospital Sokoto. Key risk factors analyzed included child preceding birth interval, breastfeeding duration, child feeding status, size at birth, and recent history of diarrhea episodes. Using ordinal logistic regression, the findings revealed significant associations between diarrhea and the identified risk factors. Children who were still breastfeeding, had lower feeding frequencies, or were smaller in size at birth were found to have a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing diarrhea. The study underscores the critical importance of targeted health interventions to mitigate these risk factors and reduce the burden of diarrhea in children. These findings provide essential evidence to guide policy formulation, community education programs, and healthcare strategies aimed at improving child health outcomes in Nigeria and other similar settings.