Original Article FREQUENCY, RISK FACTORS AND OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH DIARRHEA IN CHILDREN UNDER AGE OF 2 YEARS AT KHYBER TEACHING HOSPITAL PESHAWAR; A CROSSSECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background:

To assess the frequency of diarrhea in children under the age of 2 years in the region of Peshawar and to determine its risk factors and outcomes.

Materials & Methods:

A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in pediatrics wards and OPD in Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar from 1st May 2021 to 31st August 2021 with a sample size of 245 children. The Information was collected through questionnaire distribution and by
verbally asking the mothers questions regarding diarrhea. For analysis, we used the SPSS software version 20.

Results:

The frequency of diarrhea in children under 2 years of age was found to be 56.7% (139). The majorrisk factors associated with diarrhea were the mother’s poor educational status (31.4%), children’s exposure to the sanitation system of the house (11.2%), incomplete vaccination status (16.73%), poor handhygiene of mothers (8.59%), lack of using boiled water (9.5%) and residency
in rural areas (8.24%). Out of 139 children who suffered from diarrhea 61.9% had sunken eyes, 58.3% had dry skin, 75.5% had lethargy, 71.9% had weight loss and only 10.1% had loss of consciousness.

Conclusion:

The frequency of diarrhea was very high in Peshawar and the major risk factors were lack of mother’s education, lack of use of boiled water, poor hand washing practice by mothers, incomplete vaccination status and residency in the rural area.