Abstract:
Background: Diarrhea remains one of the leading cause of infant mortality (16%). Particularly
diarrhea is most common among children age 7–12 months in Ethiopia and those who are not
exclusively breast fed infants were more affected. Even though there are many researches done on
under five diarrheal morbidity, data on infants are scanty.
Objectives: This study assessed prevalence of diarrheal morbidity and associated factors among
7-12 month infants in Geze Gofa woreda Gamo Gofa Zone Southern Ethiopia, 2016.
Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among infants of 7-12 months
in Geze Gofa woreda Gamo Gofa Zone. Sample size was calculated for each specific objective
using epi info for window 7 version and highest sample of three hundred eighty six infants of 7-12
months was used as study unit. Two stage sampling method was used to get study unit. Data were
collected using structured questionnaires and mothers/care givers having infants of 7-12 months
were respondents. The data were entered to Epi- data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version
20 software. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize study variables. Bivariate logistic
regression was used to assess the relationship between outcome and independent variables.
Variables with P < 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were considered for inclusion in the multivariable
analysis. Variables with P < 0.05 in the multivariable analysis were considered significant.
Result: The prevalence of diarrheal morbidity in infants was found to be 21%. Failure to take
Rota immunization (adjusted odd ratio (AOR): 2.518, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.221, 5.193),
lack of hand washing facility (AOR: 2.912, 95% CI: 1.499, 5.659), unimproved source of water
(AOR: 3.643, 95% CI: 1.924, 6.897), starting complementary feeding before six month (AOR:
3.117, 95% CI: 1.604, 6.059) and bottle feeding (AOR: 2.180, 95% CI: 1.122, 4.235) were
independently associated with diarrheal morbidity in infants.
Conclusion and recommendation: Twenty one percent of infants in the study area were suffering
with diarrhea. Occurrence of diarrhea could be decreased if the woreda administrative, woreda
health office and health extension workers work together on interventions aimed to improve infant
Rota immunization, hand washing facility availability, usage of improved water source, exclusive
breast feeding and using cup to feed infant.
