Sociodemographic and Economic Factors Associated with Acute Diarrhea in Children under Five Years in District Headquarters Hospital, Sheikhupura

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the association of socio-demographic and economic factors with acute diarrhea among under-five children at DHQ Hospital, Sheikhupura. Methods: A six-month case-control study included 200 cases (children with acute diarrhea) and 200 controls (without diarrhea in the preceding 14 days) recruited through consecutive non-probability sampling. Data were collected using a validated Urdu questionnaire on socio-demographic and economic characteristics. Associations were analyzed using chi-square tests with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) at p≤0.05. Results: Male children were nearly twice as likely to develop diarrhea compared with females (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.34–2.92, p < 0.001). Younger children (0–29 months) were more vulnerable than those aged 30–59 months (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.36–0.90, p = 0.02). Maternal age ≤30 years (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.10–2.47, p = 0.015) and non-formal maternal education (OR = 5.42, 95% CI: 3.25–9.03, p < 0.001) significantly increased risk. Low household income (<25,000 PKR) was the strongest predictor (OR = 12.0, 95% CI: 7.46–19.33, p < 0.001). Rural residence (OR = 1.69, p = 0.01) was also independently associated. Conclusions: Diarrhea risk in under-five children is strongly influenced by male sex, low maternal education, and poverty. Improving maternal education, rural sanitation, and implementing poverty-reduction strategies are essential to reduce the diarrhea burden in Pakistan.