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.
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
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Created on 12/1/2017
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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)