Prevalence of diarrhoea with different feeding methods and water used among infants under two years: A cross-sectional study in Hodeida city, Yemen, 2021

Objectives: Diarrhoea is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among children under 2 years old in low- and middle-income countries, including Yemen. This study investigated the association between feeding practices, water used and the prevalence of diarrhoea in infants under two in Hodeida City, Yemen. Material and Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design, gathering data on infant feeding methods and the prevalence of diarrhoea. The sample consisted of 360 mothers or caregivers of children under the age of 2 years. Data were collected from a sex medical centre in rural and urban Hodeida City, Yemen. The data were analysed, and logistic regression was applied to obtain the odds ratio (OR) of association. Results: Results showed significant associations between feeding practices, water type and diarrhoea prevalence. Dropper users had twice the odds of diarrhoea versus spoon/cup users (OR 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–3.4). Boiled water users had half the odds of diarrhoea compared to tap water users (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3–0.8) and purified water users (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2–0.6). Infants given bottles later had 1.2 times higher odds of diarrhoea (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0–1.5). Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of appropriate feeding practices and water sources in reducing the risk of diarrhoea in infants under two in Yemen. They may have significant implications for public health policies and infant feeding recommendations in Yemen and other similar settings.