Risk determinants related to acute diarrheal disease in children under 5 years of age in a rural area of Huánuco, Peru

Abstract

Introduction. Acute diarrheal disease continues to be one of the world’s health problems that mainly affects underdeveloped
countries. The objective is to identify the risk determinants related to this ailment in children under 5 years of age in the town of Huancapata, Ambo, Huánuco, during 2019. Methodology. An observational and cross-sectional study was carried out, with a correlational design. The sample consisted of 101 mothers of children under 5 years of age, selected probabilistically. An interview guide of the general characteristics, a questionnaire of risk determinants and a clinical evaluation form of ADD were applied. The inferential analysis was performed with the chi square test, the odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confidence intervals and with a p <0.05. Results. It was found that the determining hygiene habits: inadequate supplies for hand washing [X2 = 3,631; OR = 2.2 and p = 0.046] and the lack of hygiene of the child’s toys [X2 = 5.683; OR = 3, 127 and p = 0.014] were found to be statistically significant as determinants related to ADD. Discussion. Inadequate supplies for hand washing and lack of washing of children’s toys were the risk determinants related to ADD in the children in the study.