Assessment of the relationship between water insecurity, hygiene practices, and the incidence of diarrhea among children from rural households of the Menoua division - West Cameroon

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Carole Debora Nounkeu (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Jigna Dharod

Abstract: Objectives: 1) Assess the prevalence of water insecurity and its association with water access-related behaviors such as time, distance, and sources of water; 2) identify major themes of concern that are associated with three domains of water insecurity assessed (anxiety, water quality and quantity reduction, and perceived health risk), and; 3) examine the relationship between water insecurity, hygiene practices, and diarrheal incidence among children living in rural areas of the Menoua division-West region of Cameroon. Methods: Cross-sectional semi-quantitative study involving in-person interviews in a private setting. Women living in a village of the Menoua division-West of Cameroon, were recruited based on the following selection criteria: 1) 18 years or older; 2) self-reported as currently not pregnant; 3) main meal preparer of the household, and; 4) taking care of and living with at least one child between 2 to 5 years old (n=134). Results: Participants spent on average 17 minutes walking to a drinking water source at each trip. Prevalence of water insecurity was 58% and it was associated with a lower level of hygiene among caretakers (p=0.005). Overall, the incidence of diarrhea among children was 18%, and it was significantly higher among water insecure households. Conclusions: Water security is critical in promoting optimal health and development among children by reducing incidences of diarrhea. Qualitative studies are warranted to develop a water security scale tailored to capture physical, socio-cultural, and related issues associated with water access in rural areas.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2017
Keywords
Cameroon, Children, Diarrhea, Food utilization, Hygiene, Water insecurity
Subjects
Water security $z Ménoua (Cameroon)
Food security $z Ménoua (Cameroon)
Sanitation, rural $z Ménoua (Cameroon)
Diarrhea in children $z Ménoua (Cameroon)

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