Diarrhoea management practices among adolescent mothers as predictors of diarrhoeal diseases: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND In sub-Saharan Africa, diarrhoeal diseases accounts for over 88% of deaths in children below five years old. In Kenya, the prevalence of under-5 diarrhoeal diseases was at 15% and 14% as per the as per Kenya Demographic Health Information Survey(KDHIS) of 2014 and 2022 respectively. This study aimed at examining the poor practices by adolescent mothers that function as predictors of diarrhoeal diseases among children under five years of adolescent mothers. METHODOLOGY The study was a mixed method, cross-sectional study involving 284 adolescent mothers aged 15-19 years in Kobura ward, Nyando sub-county, Kisumu County. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Data was collected using a researcher-administered survey and 3 focus group discussions. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association between proper management of diarrhoea and sociodemographic and environmental factors using STATA version 17, while qualitative data was transcribed and analysed using NVivo Version 12 using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS The study found that, the diarrhoea prevalence within the study area was higher (22.5%) than the national one (14%) and that 34% of the adolescent mothers had poor diarrhoea management practices which were predictors of diarrhoea among their children. Further, having a handwashing facility and the child’s vaccination status were predictors of diarrhoea. CONCLUSION Poor diarrhoea management practices are prevalent among adolescent mothers. Adolescent mothers need education on proper feeding, vaccination, and household sanitation to improve diarrhoea management and reduce prevalence, thereby improving the health of under-five children.