The Causes And Effects Of Diarrhea Among Children

Project and Seminar Material for Biology

The Causes And Effects Of Diarrhea Among Children


Abstract


This project took a look on the causes and effects of diarrhea among children in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. The research was carried out alone with other academic working in the school. The method used to collect data is questionnaire method, oral interview among NCE graduates in Ovia North East. Results showed that effect of diarrhea leads to fever among children, poor sanitary condition leads to diarrhea among children , eating of poorly prepared food leads to diarrhea among children, also lack of health education leads to spread of diarrhea, overcrowding can also lead to spread of diarrhea among children etc. recommendations included that; government should swing into action by providing various measures in other to prevent diarrhea infection in Benin City and Nigeria at large, our water should be treated properly with chlorine before drinking and batting with it.


Table Of Content


Preliminary Page(s)

  • Title Page
  • Declaration
  • Approval
  • Dedication
  • Acknowledgement
  • Abstract
  • Table of Content

Chapter One

1.0 Introduction

  • 1.1 Background to the study
  • 1.2 Statement of problem
  • 1.3 Purpose of the study
  • 1.4 Research Questions
  • 1.5 Significance of the study
  • 1.6 Scope/Delimitation of the study
  • 1.7 Limitation to the study
  • 1.8 Definition of terms

Chapter Two

2.0 Literature Review


Chapter Three

3.0 Methodology

  • 3.1 Research Design
  • 3.2 Population of study
  • 3.3 Sample and sampling techniques
  • 3.4 Research instrument
  • 3.5 Validity of the instrument
  • 3.6 Administration of the instrument
  • 3.7 Method of data analysis

Chapter Four

4.0 Data Analysis and Interpretation

  • 4.1 Presentation of Data
  • 4.2 Analysis of data

Chapter Five

5.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

  • 5.1 Summary
  • 5.2 Conclusion
  • 5.3 Recommendation
  • References
  • Questionnaires

Chapter One


1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background To The Study

Diarrhea is recognized as a major cause of child morbidity and mortality in developing countries (Banda et al., 2007; Gorter et al., 1998; Kosek, Bern, & Guerrant, 2003). It is the second leading cause of death among children under five years of age worldwide (BBS, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics UNICEF, United Nations Children’s Fund, 2007; Larson, Saha, Islam, & Roy, 2006). Global deaths from diarrhea among children aged less than five years were estimated at 1.87 million in 2004 (Boschi-Pinto, Velebit, & Shibuya, 2008; Candy, 1987; Chiller et al., 2006; Khan et al., 2004; Larson et al., 2006). Seventy percent of these deaths are concentrated in 15 developing countries.

Nigeria is one of these 15 countries and diarrhea is responsible for sixty-nine thousands diarrheal deaths (Boschi-Pinto et al., 2008). Diarrheal disease is still a major health problem in Nigeria. The government of Nigeria states that diarrhea kills an estimated 25,000 people annually, mostly children (IRIN, 2008). On a daily average, 180-200 diarrhea patients were admitted to the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (ICDDRB) hospital (IRIN, 2008). According to the ICDDRB hospital’s statistical surveillance from 2004 to 2008, the total number of children with diarrhea in this hospital was 5596. An average of 1119 diarrhea children (under five) was admitted there annually.

Causes of diarrhea were viruses, bacteria and parasites (Mishra, Gupta, & Yadav, 2004). Contaminated foods play a major role in the occurrence of diarrheal diseases. The transmission of infection occurs by direct contact with the agent, through oral–fecal transmission routes due to poor water quality, unhygienic behaviors, improper storage of food and inadequate sanitation practices (Halvorson, 2004). This may be because mothers lack of awareness about safe drinking water, hygiene practice, feeding children with hygienic food and defecation practices (IRIN, 2008).

Diarrhea is a disease that can be prevented by avoiding contacting with causative agents, but children under 5 years of age are unable to protect themselves from these agents. They are under the care of their mothers; therefore the maternal preventive behaviors for children are very important. There are many studies showing the incidence of diarrhea related to maternal behaviors including hygiene practices, child feeding practices, safe water and defecation practices (Banda et al., 2007; Chiller et al., 2006; Gorter et al, 1998; Khan et al., 2004; Nanan et al., 2003; Osumanu, 2008). Mothers are the closest persons to children. Their behaviors toward their children need to be explored, especially their preventive behaviors.

A previous study showed that maternal behaviors were found to be related to their perceptions (Pancharuniti, Shiyalap, Dung, & Wongsawass, 2004). The results of Pancharuniti et al study carried out in Vietnam indicated that maternal health beliefs towards diarrheal diseases in children played a crucial role in their home management of acute diarrhea. Maternal perceptions on the susceptibility and severity of diarrhea and the benefits and barriers to maternal home care for diarrheal children were significantly correlated to maternal practices. Although diarrheal disease is recognized as a major problem in Bangladesh, no studies on maternal preventive behaviors of diarrhea in children and maternal perceptions have been conducted.

Therefore, this study is carried out in order to explore maternal perceptions and preventive behaviors of diarrhea in children. The results of the study will be used to enhance maternal preventive behaviors of diarrhea in children, which will reduce the incidence of diarrhea in children under five years of age. It can also fulfill the gap in knowledge of maternal preventive behaviors in diarrhea of children in Nigeria.


1.2 Statement Of The Problems

Despite much global effort, advances in research, and updated clinical management guidelines, diarrhea continues to be a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in humans worldwide. In Nigeria, diarrhea accounts for more than 50% of children deaths (United States Department of Agriculture [USDA], 2008) and results in significant economic losses. (Barrington, Gay & Evermann, 2002; Gunn, Naylor, & House, 2009). In children, diarrhea is the second leading cause of death due to infectious disease and kills more children than acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), malaria, and measles combined (United Nations Children’s Fund [UNICEF] & World Health Organization [WHO], 2009).

Based on this the research work intends to find out the causes of diarrhea and its effect on children between the ages of 5 and 10 years respectively.


1.3 Objectives Of The Study

The objective of this study is classified into general objective and specific objectives.

General objective

The general objective of the study is to determine the factors associated with diarrhea among children in Benin City.

Specific objectives
  1. To determine the causes and effect of diarrhea among children.
  2. To examine the relationship between maternal perceptions and maternal preventive behaviors regarding acute diarrhea in children.
  3. To explore the association of the child socio-demographic, health care factors with diarrhea with children in Benin City
  4. To explore the association between mothers hand washing habits and defecations behaviours and health service utilization factors with diarrhea among children in Benin City.
  5. To explore the association between drinking water, sanitation and house characteristics factors and diarrhea among children in Benin City.

1.4 Research Questions

Ten research questions are formulated by the researcher. And they will be tested to ascertain their relationship and differences with the causes and effect of diarrhea among children in Benin City. The formulated research questions are as follows:

  1. Does poor toilet facilities causes diarrhea infection in children?
  2. Do contaminated water cause diarrhea among children?
  3. Does poor child health care cause to diarrhea infection?
  4. Does washing of hands properly before eating help to reduce the risk of diarrhea?
  5. Does the provision of sufficient child health care help to reduce the risk of diarrhea among children?
  6. Does poor health care utilization by mothers causes diarrhea among children in Benin City?
  7. Does lack of washing of hands by mothers before feeding the child cause diarrhea infection among children in Benin City?
  8. Does poor environmental sanitation causes diarrhea among children in Benin City?
  9. Does poor defecation behaviour among mothers causes diarrhea among children in Benin City?
  10. Does poor nutritional status of children causes diarrhea among children in Benin City?

1.5 Significance Of The Study:

The importance of this research work cannot be overemphasized. The study will be useful to the health workers, parents/guardians and the individual within the society. Firstly, this study will reveal some of the causes of diarrhea among children in Benin City and also ways to preventing the infection among children in Benin City.

This study will also be of importance to the local community health workers in the rural areas where incidence of diarrhea is mostly rampant. It will also provide measures to prevent the outbreak of the diseases among children in our rural communities.

This study is also relevant to the government by providing the statistics of children infected with the deadly disease in Benn City in particular and in Nigeria as a whole. The information from this will help the government to swing into action in providing measures that can help reduce the cause of diarrhea.


1.6 Scope Of The Study:

The study is set out to determine the causes and effect of diarrhea among children in Benin City. Therefore, the study is restricted to selected women in Benin City, community health workers, and other health related personnel in Benin City.


1.7 Limitation To The Study

In carrying out this research work the researchers was faced with some constraints such as lack of readily available materials on the topic under review. As such the researcher had to carry out investigation by herself and visited the cyber café several times before writing this project work.

The researcher was also faced with financial constraint during the time of writing this project work.
Lastly, the researcher was faced with time constraint; this is because the researcher had to combine the project work with other academic activities such as going to class and also preparing for the final examination at the college this reduced the time that was put in by the researcher in writing the project work.


1.8 Definition Of Terms

Diarrhea:

It is a disease characterized by water stool more than three (3) times a day, with the smooth or liquid feces consistency.

WHO:

World Health Organization.

Threat:

An expression of an intention to inflict pain, injury, evil, or punishment. An indication of impending danger or harm. One that is regarded as a possible danger; a menace.

Sanitation:

Is the hygienic means of promoting health through prevention of human contact with the hazards of wastes. Hazards can be either physical, microbiological, biological or chemical agents of disease. Wastes that can cause health problems include human and animal feces, solid wastes, domestic wastewater (sewage, sullage, greywater), industrial wastes and agricultural wastes. Hygienic means of prevention can be by using engineering solutions (e.g. sewerage and wastewater treatment), simple technologies (e.g. latrines, septic tanks), or even by personal hygiene practices (e.g. simple handwashing with soap).

According to World Health Organization states that:

“Sanitation generally refers to the provision of facilities and services for the safe disposal of human urine and feces. Inadequate sanitation is a major cause of disease world-wide and improving sanitation is known to have a significant beneficial impact on health both in households and across communities. The word ‘sanitation’ also refers to the maintenance of hygienic conditions, through services such as garbage collection and wastewater disposal

Microorganism:

According to Encyclopedia (2012) Microorganisms are very diverse; they include all of the prokaryotes, namely the bacteria and archaea; and various forms ofeukaryote, comprising the protozoa, fungi, algae, microscopic plants (green algae), and animals such as rotifers and planarians. Some microbiologists also classify viruses as microorganisms, but others consider these as nonliving.[2][3] Most microorganisms are unicellular (single-celled), but this is not universal, since some multicellular organisms are microscopic, while some unicellular protists and bacteria, like Thiomargarita namibiensis, are macroscopic and visible to the naked eye.

Parasite:

According to encyclopedia (2012) A parasitic disease is an infectious disease caused or transmitted by a parasite. Many parasites do not cause diseases. Parasitic diseases can affect practically all living organisms, including plants and mammals. The study of parasitic diseases is called parasitology.

Risk:

Risk is the potential that a chosen action or activity (including the choice of inaction) will lead to a loss (an undesirable outcome). The notion implies that a choice having an influence on the outcome exists (or existed). Potential losses themselves may also be called “risks”. Almost any human endeavor carries some risk, but some are much more risky than others.

Mortality:

Mortality is the state of being mortal, or susceptible to death; the opposite of immortality

Morbidity:

Departure from a state of physical or psychological well-being, resulting from disease, illness, injury, or sickness, specially where the affected individual is aware of his or her condition. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), morbidity could be measured in terms of (1) number of persons who were ill, (2) illnesses these persons experienced, and (3) the duration of these illnesses.

Disease:

A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs.[1] It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune diseases. In humans, “disease” is often used more broadly to refer to any condition that causes pain, dysfunction, distress, social problems, or death to the person afflicted, or similar problems for those in contact with the person. In this broader sense, it sometimes includes injuries, disabilities, disorders, syndromes, infections, isolated symptoms, deviant behaviors, and atypical variations of structure and function, while in other contexts and for other purposes these may be considered distinguishable categories. Diseases usually affect people not only physically, but also emotionally, as contracting and living with many diseases can alter one’s perspective on life, and their personality.


Chapter Five


5.0 Summary Of Findings, Conclusion & Recommendations

5.1 Summary Of Findings

This finding of the study, causes and effect of this cholera during rainy season in Benin City can help programmes planners in Nigeria, Benin City to be presides towards preventive, strategies to eradicate cholera outbreak in this City (Benin).

In the light of this research, the researcher tried to find how the problems listed in chapter one (research questions) can result in cholera outbreak and the consequences involves when contacted with this disease cholera. A questionnaire was designed and administered to respondents like students, teachers, civil servant, youths, drivers etc from different field level of life. The result from the study revealed that when environment is not properly kept clean, it leads to cholera outbreak, when toilet is poorly kept if leads to cholera outbreak, when drinking and bathing water is been contaminated with germs it leads to cholera outbreak etc.

From the finding of this data, it was analyzed and observed that humans/persons need to be clean in other not to be infected with this disease known as cholera.


5.2 Conclusion

Given that high diarrheal morbidity is likely to persist for some time in many parts of the developing world, this study suggests that specifically addressing the problem of anorexia is worthwhile. Current WHO guidelines for feeding children during diarrheal illness recommend continued feeding in small amounts as well as additional feeding after the episode has concluded to allow for catch up growth.

From the finding of this research, it was structured out that diarrhea is a severe water borne infectious disease caused by viruses, bacteria parasite, and also, diarrhea is accompanied with a severe dehydration and loss of electrolyte. In absence of appropriate treatment of this disease, there is a high mortality rate. It was also observed that diarrhea is responsible for an estimated average of 1119 children infected with diarrhea which are admitted in the hospital annually. In other to set free from this deadly disease it was observed that the government should swing into action by providing various measures in other to prevent diarrhea infection among children in Benin City and Nigeria at large.


5.3 Recommendations

Diarrhea is a very serious disease in the growing development of Benin City and Nigeria in general. In view of the identified problems, it is therefore recommended that;

  1. Cleaning out environment, washing our hands before eating, and washing our toilet with medicated soap will help to put an end to this disease (diarrhea).
  2. Water sold in the street by water vendors which is associated with illness should be checked regularly by ministry of health bodies.
  3. Urban water agencies should undertake a search and emergency chlorine disinfection of all open well and other water points used for drinking.
  4. The ministry of education with funding from UNICEF should sponsor a series of teacher seminars with the help of local health personnel for all primary, secondary and tertiary even public open seminars on Diarrhea control activities.

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