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Burden of Common Childhood Diseases in Relation to Improved Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) among Nigerian Children

Author

Listed:
  • Zhifei He

    (School of Politics and Public Administration, Southwest University of Political Science & Law, Chongqing 401120, China)

  • Ghose Bishwajit

    (School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada)

  • Dongsheng Zou

    (School of Politics and Public Administration, Southwest University of Political Science & Law, Chongqing 401120, China)

  • Sanni Yaya

    (School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada)

  • Zhaohui Cheng

    (Health Information Center, Chongqing 401120, China)

  • Yan Zhou

    (School of Politics and Public Administration, Southwest University of Political Science & Law, Chongqing 401120, China)

Abstract

Having access to improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities constitute a key component of healthy living and quality of life. Prolonged exposure to insanitary living conditions can significantly enhance the burden of infectious diseases among children and affect nutritional status and growth. In this study we examined the prevalence of some common infectious diseases/disease symptoms of childhood among under-five children in Nigeria, and the association between the occurrence of these diseases with household’s access to WASH facilities. Types of diseases used as outcome variables included diarrheal, and acute respiratory infections (fever and cough). Access to WASH facilities were defined by WHO classification. The association between diarrhoea, fever and chronic cough with sanitation, and hygiene was analyzed by logistic regression techniques. Results showed that the prevalence of diarrhoea, fever and cough was respectively 10.5% (95% CI = 9.7–2.0), 13.4% (95% CI = 11.9–14.8), and 10.4% (95% CI = 9.2–11.5). In the regression analysis, children in the households that lacked all three types of facilities were found to have respectively 1.32 [AOR = 1.329, 95% CI = 1.046–1.947], 1.24 [AOR = 1.242, 95% CI = 1.050–1.468] and 1.43 [AOR = 1.432, 95% CI = 1.113–2.902] times higher odds of suffering from diarrhea, fever and cough. The study concludes that unimproved WASH conditions is an important contributor to ARIs and diarrheal morbidities among Nigerian children. In light of these findings, it is recommended that programs targeting to reduce childhood morbidity and mortality from common infectious diseases should leverage equitable provision of WASH interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhifei He & Ghose Bishwajit & Dongsheng Zou & Sanni Yaya & Zhaohui Cheng & Yan Zhou, 2018. "Burden of Common Childhood Diseases in Relation to Improved Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) among Nigerian Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-12, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:6:p:1241-:d:152005
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    Cited by:

    1. Negalgn Byadgie Gelaw & Getayeneh Antehunegn Tessema & Kassahun Alemu Gelaye & Zemenu Tadesse Tessema & Tigist Andargie Ferede & Abebe W/Selassie Tewelde, 2022. "Exploring the spatial variation and associated factors of childhood febrile illness among under-five children in Ethiopia: Geographically weighted regression analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(12), pages 1-23, December.
    2. Chao Wang & Run Pu & Bishwajit Ghose & Shangfeng Tang, 2018. "Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain, Self-Reported Health and Quality of Life among Older Populations in South Africa and Uganda," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Patrick Levallois & Cristina M. Villanueva, 2019. "Drinking Water Quality and Human Health: An Editorial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-4, February.
    4. Muhammad Munawar Hussain & Asim Iqbal & Syed Jaffar Abbas, 2025. "Water, Sanitation, Hygiene Facilities and Economic Well‐Being: A Multilevel and Spatial Analysis in Punjab, Pakistan," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 37(2), pages 405-419, March.
    5. repec:plo:pone00:0233259 is not listed on IDEAS

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