Assessment of Diarrhea Disease and its Determinants among Children under Five Years in Selected Nursery Schools in Karu, Abuja

Diarrhea disease is a leading cause of death among children under the age of five worldwide, ranking as one of the six causes of death. The pathogens that cause diarrhea are typically transmitted through the fecal-oral route, which includes consuming contaminated food, fluid, or coming into direct contact with infected stool. Ingestion of contaminated water is a means of transmission of diarrhea-causing pathogens. The study assessed diarrhea disease and its determinants among children under five years old in selected nursery schools in Karu, Abuja. An assessment of the disease and variables was carried out using a questionnaire in a descriptive research design. A total of 400 respondents were used for the study. Data collected were analyzed using the statistical package for social science software (SPSS 23.0) version. The results were presented using frequency tables. Inferential statistics such as the Chi-square were used to compare relationships between variables; significance was taken at the 0.05 level. The study revealed that a child's age had no significant effect on diarrhea disease. However, handwashing after using the toilet, education level of parents (caregivers), and source of water had a significant effect on diarrhea disease among children under five years old in selected Nursery schools in Karu, Abuja. There is a need to implement educational programs to enhance the knowledge of diarrhea disease, which has been identified as a critical factor influencing health. Additionally, the government should provide clean water for consumption and ensure adherence to sanitation practices among the populace.