Diarrhea among children under-five: Comparing risk factors in urban and rural areas in Indonesia

Abstract

Background

Diarrhea remains a significant contributor to global morbidity and mortality, including in Indonesia. This study aims to identify and compare the risk factors associated with diarrhea in children under the age of five living in both rural and urban regions of Indonesia.

Methods

This study utilized a cross-sectional design. The analysis focused on a sample of 64,148 children aged between 0 and 59 months. The primary outcome measured was the prevalence of diarrhea, while the independent variables examined included child age, gender, maternal education, maternal age, maternal common mental disorder (CMD), economic status, disposal of children's stools, and drinking water sources. Bivariate analysis was conducted to explore the relationships between variables, followed by logistic regression to determine adjusted associations.

Results

Diarrhea was reported in 10.9 % of children, with a higher prevalence in rural areas (11.53 %) compared to urban areas (10.07 %). Child's age, lower maternal education, maternal common mental disorder, and younger maternal age were significantly associated with higher odds of diarrhea in both settings (p < 0.05). Additionally, improper disposal of children's stools emerged as a key risk factor in rural areas.

Conclusion

The factors related to diarrhea in children below the age of five in Indonesia present differences between rural and urban areas. While higher maternal education and good mental health were lower risk factors in both areas, rural areas faced additional risks related to sanitation practices. These findings highlight the need for region-specific interventions to effectively prevent and manage diarrhea in children under five.