RISK FACTORS OF DIARRHEA IN CHILDRENYOUNGER THAN 5 YEARS INKHYBER TEACHING HOSPITAL, PESHAWAR

Background: Diarrhea is communicable disease caused by inflammation of gastrointestinal tract by viruses, bacteria, protozoa or toxin that lead to watery stool mostly accompanied by vomiting and fever. After pneumonia, acute diarrhea is second leading cause of death in younger children. According to world health organization (WHO) and UNICEF, worldwide there are more than two billion of diarrheal cases are reported each year. There are many factors that may risk for diarrhea in children it includes un vaccination, poor economic status, contaminated water, unhygienic food, poultry and domestic animals and lack of education. Aim: To assess and find the major risk factors for diarrhea in children less than 5 years of age. Material and method: An Analytical cross-sectional questionnaire based survey was conducted on children less than five year presenting with AGE in pediatric emergency of Khyber teaching Hospital Peshawar. Risk factors associated with diarrhea such as age, gender, residency, mother’s education, socio-economic status and unvaccinated were examined. Results: A total of 150 participants were enrolled into current study, out of which 58% were male and 42% were female, out of total participant 45.3% belong to rural and 55.7% are from urban areas. Male gender, age <1 year, poor sanitary condition, urban residency, low socio-economic status, uneducated mothers, poor hygiene and unawareness were the major risk factors associated with diarrhea in children with ages