Socio-economic, behavioral and environmental factors associated with diarrhea among under five children in health development and non-health development army member mothers in Wondogenet, south Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: Diarrhea is one of the leading causes of death in children in sub-Saharan countries where socio-economic, behavioral and environmental factors play significant roles in causation and distribution of the disease. Ethiopia has established Health Development Army (HDA), a neighborhood women group which enhances active participation of women in health promotion activities. Despite HDA has been implemented for the last couple of years, its effect on the major childhood diarrhea has not been studied in Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of HDA initiative and other factors related to childhood diarrhea.