Mansour Abdu Al-Taj
Background: Diarrhea remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children worldwide. Enabling mothers with knowledge and resources is essential for mitigating the negative impacts of diarrhea in children in resource-limited contexts. Objective: The aim of this study is to measure the prevalence of acute watery diarrhea in children under five years old in vulnerable communities. It also aims to assess mothers' knowledge of the route of transmission and prevention of diarrhea in children and to identify the methods used to manage diarrhea. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design using a structured questionnaire. A total of 895 mothers from internally displaced and host communities were interviewed face-to-face. Data were analyzed using Stata version 16, with descriptive statistics presented as proportions. Bivariate analysis was conducted using the chi-square test, and multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and compute 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: The proportion of children with acute watery diarrhea was 36.4%. Only 39.3% of mothers had good knowledge about the route of transmission and prevention of diarrhea in children. 15.9% of them provided their children with oral rehydration solution (ORS) during the last episode of diarrhea. Mothers aged 40 years or above (AOR = 1.80; 95% C1 1.139-2.86), and those who had secondary school or higher education (AOR = 1.95; 95% C1 1.35-2.82) were more likely to have good knowledge about childhood diarrhea. Mothers who had good knowledge were nearly twice as likely to give ORS to children with acute watery diarrhea (AOR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.15-2.49). Conclusion: Acute watery diarrhea in young, vulnerable children remains high. The findings of this study highlight a concerning gap in mothers' knowledge regarding the route of transmission and prevention of diarrhea in children, as well as a low rate of ORS use. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted educational interventions to improve mothers' knowledge of diarrhea prevention in children and to enhance home management of childhood diarrhea in vulnerable communities.