Prevalence of diarrheal and its associated factors among children aged under-five years in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Diarrhea is a major health problem in Ethiopia, and the Amhara Regional State is experiencing the highest prevalence rate of diarrhea. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the prevalence and risk factors attributed to diarrhea among children under-five in the Amhara Regional State. The study employed descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify the main statistically significant associated factors of diarrhea using Stata version 14. The overall prevalence rate of experiencing diarrhea was 17.7% [95% CI: 15.4, 20.2] in the Amhara Regional State. The multivariable logistic regression model analysis indicated that the risk factors are fourth and above birth order [AOR = 2.95, 95% CI (1.483, 5.85)], gender of child (being male) [AOR = 1.66, 95% CI (1.144, 2.41)], no education level of mother's [AOR = 4.7, 95% CI (1.01, 22.0)], being age of child 7-11 [AOR = 3.33, 95% CI (1.58, 7.01)] and 12-23 month [AOR = 2.17, 95% CI (1.11, 4.22)], mother's age at 15-19 years [AOR = 12.2, 95% CI (2.986, 50.2)], mother's age at 20-24 years [AOR = 6, 95% CI (1.758, 20.8)], and mother's age at 25-29 years [AOR = 4.48, 95% CI (1.41, 14.2)], and five and greater than family size [AOR = 0.53; 95% CI (0.343, 0.84)] were statistically significant associated with a higher risk of diarrhea. The prevalence of diarrhea in the Amhara Regional State was higher than that at the national level. The study identified gender of a child, education level of the mother's, birth order, family size, mother's age, and child's age as risk factors for diarrhea in children under-five.