World Journal of Medical Sciences 13 (1): 54-59, 2016 ISSN 1817-3055 © IDOSI Publications, 2016 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjms.2016.13.1.10272 Corresponding Author: Mohamed Kalid Ali, Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa University, Bosaso, Somalia. 54 Factors Related to the Occurrence of Diarrheal Disease in Under-Five Children of IDP’s in Bosaso, Puntland-Somalia Mohamed Kalid, Elmi Omar, Abdikarin A. Ibrahim, Shukri A. Said and Deko A. Farah 1,2,3 1,2 1 1 1 Department of Public Health and Nutrition East Africa University, Bosaso-Puntland, Somalia 1 Citizen College of Health, East Africa University, Bosaso-Puntland, Somalia 2 Center of Research Training and Development East Africa University, Bosaso-Puntland, Somalia 3 Abstract: Globally about 4 million cases of diarrhea are recorded annually and this causes about 2.2 million deaths, mostly among children under the age five. About 50% of deaths are due to acute watery stool, 35% are due to persistent diarrhea and 15% are due to dysentery. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Bosaso, Puntland, Somalia to identify the factors (socio-demographic characteristics of caregivers, child characteristics, environmental and sanitation factors) related to the occurrence of diarrheal disease in under-five children in Bosaso district IDPs, Somalia. Data of 245 caregivers of the under-five children were collected from four IDPs, during the summer season (June-July, 2015). Data were collected by structured questionnaire and face-to-face interviews in all IDPs. Odds ratio was used to identify factors related to the occurrence of diarrheal disease. Most caregivers reported no diarrhea in their children in the month prior to the day of the interview, 7.34% reported one episode and only 2.85% reported two episodes and 0.4% reported 3 times. 89.7% had watery type of diarrhea. Diarrhea also occurred more often in children who were not exclusively breastfed. However, there was statistically significant association (O.R.= 3.3845). The other factors that were statistically significant associated with the occurrence of diarrheal disease included: unhygienic drinking water storage (O.R.= 1.2748) and unhygienic homes (O.R = 2.3652). Clean Storage of drinking water and hygienic drainage system should be encouraged to all caregivers. Exclusive breastfeeding should be encouraged for prevention of diarrhea for all infants. Key words: Caregivers Children Bosaso Sanitation Diarrhea and IDP’ INTRODUCTION health burdens among infants and young children in low Diarrhea is a major public health problem especially diarrhea per child per year among children below five in developing countries where it is a leading cause of years old was estimated between 1990 and 2000 within 20 childhood morbidity and mortality [1]. Diarrhea becomes countries [6]. The immediate impact of diarrheal infant the major burden of all water and sanitation related diseases in terms of morbidity, hospitalization and death diseases. Globally about 4 million cases of diarrhea are has been proved in several studies [3]. recorded annually and this causes about 2.2 million In developing countries, diarrheal diseases represent deaths, mostly among children under the age five [2]. one third of the hospitalizations [6]. Children who were About 50% of deaths are due to acute watery stool, 35% not looked after by their mothers and those were partially are due to persistent diarrhea and 15% are due to breastfed or weaned children are at risk for diarrheal dysentery [3]. According to WHO, in developing morbidity [7]. The long term consequence is under countries, diarrhea is the major cause for child death when nutrition when episodes are repeated and prolonged [8] children are less than five years old [4]. Diarrhea mortality Poor socio economic status, sanitation and living is mainly due to dehydration which is the first direct conditions, nutrition and hygiene behavior are the health consequence [3]. Diarrhea morbidity is one of the major determinants for diarrhea prevalence [7]. income countries [5]. An incidence of 3.2 episodes of