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Background <p>Childhood diarrhea remains a significant public health concern in Ghana, contributing to high morbidity and mortality rates among children under the age of five. Understanding the epidemiological trends and risk factors associated with diarrheal diseases is crucial for designing effective interventions to reduce the burden. This study aimed to evaluate the trends and risk factors associated with diarrhea among Ghanaian children between 1988 and 2022.</p> Methods <p>This study utilized data from the Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between 1988 and 2022. To assess trends in childhood diarrhea prevalence, we used data from survey years 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2014, and 2022. A trend analysis was performed at multiple time points over this 34-year period, followed by a multivariate regression analysis to identify key risk factors associated with childhood diarrhea prevalence in 2022.</p> Results <p>The findings revealed a decreasing trend in childhood diarrhea prevalence in Ghana over the study period (26% in 1988 to 13% in 2022). Across the years, children aged 12–23 months had the highest prevalence of diarrhea compared to other age groups, including those under 6 months, 6–11 months, and 24–59 months (43% in 1988 and 19% in 2022). Children under the age of 23 months had a higher likelihood of experiencing diarrhea compared to other age groups (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.6–3.4). Factors such as source of drinking water, method of stool disposal, maternal education and marital status, and region of residence were significantly associated with diarrhea incidence.</p> Conclusion <p>The observed decline in childhood diarrhea prevalence can be attributed to various public health interventions, including improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions, as well as improvements in breastfeeding and vaccination methods. However, disparities in diarrhea risk factors highlight the need for integrated, multisectoral approaches that address the social determinants of health.</p>

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Trends and determinants of childhood diarrhea in Ghana: evidence from the Ghana demographic and health survey (1988–2022)

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月14日

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  • Marian Yenupini Kombat,
  • Sandra Boatemaa Kushitor

摘要

Background

Childhood diarrhea remains a significant public health concern in Ghana, contributing to high morbidity and mortality rates among children under the age of five. Understanding the epidemiological trends and risk factors associated with diarrheal diseases is crucial for designing effective interventions to reduce the burden. This study aimed to evaluate the trends and risk factors associated with diarrhea among Ghanaian children between 1988 and 2022.

Methods

This study utilized data from the Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between 1988 and 2022. To assess trends in childhood diarrhea prevalence, we used data from survey years 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2014, and 2022. A trend analysis was performed at multiple time points over this 34-year period, followed by a multivariate regression analysis to identify key risk factors associated with childhood diarrhea prevalence in 2022.

Results

The findings revealed a decreasing trend in childhood diarrhea prevalence in Ghana over the study period (26% in 1988 to 13% in 2022). Across the years, children aged 12–23 months had the highest prevalence of diarrhea compared to other age groups, including those under 6 months, 6–11 months, and 24–59 months (43% in 1988 and 19% in 2022). Children under the age of 23 months had a higher likelihood of experiencing diarrhea compared to other age groups (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.6–3.4). Factors such as source of drinking water, method of stool disposal, maternal education and marital status, and region of residence were significantly associated with diarrhea incidence.

Conclusion

The observed decline in childhood diarrhea prevalence can be attributed to various public health interventions, including improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions, as well as improvements in breastfeeding and vaccination methods. However, disparities in diarrhea risk factors highlight the need for integrated, multisectoral approaches that address the social determinants of health.