Sanitation and diarrheal morbidity: evidence from Afghanistan

Abstract

Introduction: lack of sanitation facilities and inadequate water is key to many diseases’ outcomes, mainly diarrhea. These factors not just affect the health status of a country and but also result in increased mortality and morbidity pattern, particularly among the vulnerable population like children and women. Thus, the study assesses the linkages between diarrheal diseases and sanitation in Afghanistan affected since long by political instability which has derailed the health system of the country.

Material and method: we used 2015 Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey to assess the linkages between sanitation and diarrheal diseases among under-five children. Bivariate and multivariate analyses have used to carry out the study. The logistic model was used to evaluate the risk factors that lead to diarrheal outcomes.

Results: our findings from the results showed that the prevalence of diarrhea among under-five children in Afghanistan was 29%. Pashai is the most affected, with 36% among ethnicities, whereas eastern Afghanistan is the most affected region with the prevalence of (38%). Open defecated Population (OR: 1.17, p<0.001), Tap water (OR: 1.31, p<0.001), Well water (OR: 1.24, p<0.001), and Sharing toilet (OR: 1.15, p<0.001) are significantly associated with childhood diarrhea.

Conclusions: a significant impact has found with factors like-inadequate sanitation, shared toilet facility, clean water and other elements with childhood diarrhea in Afghanistan. The region-wise difference has also found to be very high across the regions. Thus, it has found that a lack of such factors has a more significant impact on the health of children and needs a particular focus from a policy purpose.

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ORCID for Saddaf Naaz Akhtar: orcid.org/0000-0002-0346-5220

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