Diarrheal disease and associated behavioural factors among food handlers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Aderajew Mekonnen Girmay; Sirak Robele Gari; Bezatu Mengistie Alemu; Martin R Evans; Azage Gebreyohannes Gebremariam

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2020010

Diarrheal disease and associated behavioural factors among food handlers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

AIMS Public Health. 2020 Feb 18;7(1):100-113. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2020010. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Aderajew Mekonnen Girmay¹, Sirak Robele Gari¹, Bezatu Mengistie Alemu², Martin R Evans³, Azage Gebreyohannes Gebremariam¹

Affiliations

¹ Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
² College of Health and Medical sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia.
³ Microbiology Consultant and Laboratory Director, New York, USA.

Abstract

Introduction: Diarrheal diseases are threat everywhere, but its frequency and impact are more severe in developing countries. Diarrhea occurs world-wide and causes 4% of all deaths and 5% of health loss to disability. In 2016, it was the eighth leading cause of mortality. Moreover, data from the World Health Organization indicated that diarrheal diseases are causes for an estimated 2 million deaths annually. Therefore, this study aimed to assess diarrheal diseases and associated behavioural factors.

Method: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted. A stratified random sampling method was employed to select 1050 study participants. Participants were interviewed using structured questionnaire. To analysis the data, binary logistic regression and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted.

Results: The two weeks prevalence of diarrhea was found to be 3.4%. Further, 1.6%, 10.5%, 10.7% and 9% of the food handlers had acute watery diarrhea, cough, an infection of runny nose and incidence of any fever respectively. Regular hand washing after toilet (AOR = 0.13 with 95% CI: 0.024, 0.72), using toilet while wearing protective clothes/gown (AOR = 5.39 with 95% CI; 1.59, 18.32), habit of eating raw beef and raw vegetables (AOR = 6.27 with 95% CI: 1.89-20.78), type of toilet (AOR = 4.07 with 95% CI: 0.29-6.67 were associated significantly with diarrhea.

Conclusion: This assessment proved to be an essential activity for reduction of community diarrheal diseases, as a significant number of food handlers had diarrhea. Good sanitation, hygiene practice and a healthy lifestyle behavior can prevent diarrhea. A strong political commitment with appropriate budgetary allocation is essential for the control of diarrheal diseases.

Keywords: Addis Ababa; Ethiopia; behavioural factor; diarrheal disease; food handler.