Dataset Information

Prevalence and associated factors of common childhood illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa from 2010 to 2020: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of common childhood illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Sub-Saharan Africa.

Participants

Under-5 children.

Primary outcome

Common childhood illnesses.

Methods

Secondary data analysis was conducted using data from recent Demographic and Health Survey datasets from 33 sub-Saharan African countries. We used the Kids Record dataset file and we included only children under the age of 5 years. A total weighted sample size of 208 415 from the pooled (appended) data was analysed. STATA V.14.2 software was used to clean, recode and analyse the data. A multilevel binary logistic regression model was fitted, and adjusted OR with a 95% CI and p value of ≤0.05 were used to declare significantly associated factors. To check model fitness and model comparison, intracluster correlation coefficient, median OR, proportional change in variance and deviance (-2 log-likelihood ratio) were used.

Result

In this study, the prevalence of common childhood illnesses among under-5 children was 50.71% (95% CI: 44.18% to 57.24%) with a large variation between countries which ranged from Sierra Leone (23.26%) to Chad (87.24%). In the multilevel analysis, rural residents, mothers who are currently breast feeding, educated mothers, substandard floor material, high community women education and high community poverty were positively associated with common childhood illnesses in the sub-Saharan African countries. On the other hand, children from older age mothers, children from the richest household and children from large family sizes, and having media access, electricity, a refrigerator and improved toilets were negatively associated.

Conclusions

The prevalence of common illnesses among under-5 children was relatively high in sub-Saharan African countries. Individual-level and community-level factors were associated with the problem. Improving housing conditions, interventions to improve toilets and strengthening the economic status of the family and the communities are recommended to reduce common childhood diseases.

SUBMITTER: Chilot D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9668010 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Prevalence and associated factors of common childhood illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa from 2010 to 2020: a cross-sectional study.

Chilot Dagmawi D Belay Daniel Gashaneh DG Shitu Kegnie K Mulat Bezawit B Alem Adugnaw Zeleke AZ Geberu Demiss Mulatu DM

BMJ open 20221115 11

<h4>Objective</h4>This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of common childhood illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa.<h4>Design</h4>Cross-sectional study.<h4>Setting</h4>Sub-Saharan Africa.<h4>Participants</h4>Under-5 children.<h4>Primary outcome</h4>Common childhood illnesses.<h4>Methods</h4>Secondary data analysis was conducted using data from recent Demographic and Health Survey datasets from 33 sub-Saharan African countries. We used the Kids Record dataset file and we included on ...[more]

PMID: 36379651

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Project description:BackgroundIntra-household dynamics play crucial roles in utilisation of healthcare services for children. We investigated the influence of household relationships on healthcare seeking behaviour for common childhood illnesses in four sub-Sahara African regions.MethodsData on 247,061 under-five children were extracted from recent Demographic and Health Surveys conducted between 2012 and 2016 in 25 countries. Data were combined and analysed per sub-region. Dependent variables (DVs) were uptake of health facility care for diarrhea and Acute Respiratory Tract Infection (ARI) symptoms. The main independent variable (IV) was household relationship which was represented by maternal marital profile (marital status, family type and number of marriages) and maternal relationship to household head. Mixed effects logit models were fitted to assess independent relationship between the IVs and DVs with adjustment for relevant demographic and socio-economic characteristics at 5% significance level.ResultsThe percentage of children who received care for diarrhea and ARI symptoms from health facilities across sub-regions was: Western Africa (WA) 42.4, 44.1%; Central Africa (CA) 32.6, 33.9%; Eastern Africa (EA) 41.5, 48.7% and Southern Africa (SA) 58.9, 62.7%. Maternal marital profile was not associated with healthcare seeking behaviour for diarrhea and ARI symptoms in any of the sub-regions. Children whose mothers were daughter/daughter-in-law to household head were significantly less likely to be taken to health facility for diarrhea treatment in Eastern Africa (AOR = 0.81, CI: 0.51-0.95). Having a mother who is the head of household was significantly associated with higher odds of facility care for ARI symptoms for children from Western (AOR = 1.20, CI: 1.02-1.43) and Southern Africa (AOR = 1.49, CI: 1.20-1.85).ConclusionThe type of relationship between mother of under-fives and head of households affect health seeking behaviour for treatment of diarrhea and ARI symptoms in Eastern, Western and Southern Africa. Countries in these regions need to adapt best practices for promoting healthcare utilisation for children such that household relationship does not constitute barriers.

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Dataset Information

Prevalence and associated factors of common childhood illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa from 2010 to 2020: a cross-sectional study.

Objective

Design

Setting

Participants

Primary outcome

Methods

Result

Conclusions

Publications

Prevalence and associated factors of common childhood illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa from 2010 to 2020: a cross-sectional study.

Similar Datasets

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