Effectiveness of WASH Education to Prevent Diarrhea among Children under five in a Community of Patuakhali, Bangladesh

Abstract

Diarrhea is a leading cause of death among under five children in developing countries. The burden of child diarrhea in Bangladesh is still significant. Safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) can limit the events. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of WASH education of mothers or caregivers on child diarrhea. A community-based randomized control trial was conducted in the selected households of a rural community in Dumki Upazila, Patuakhali from March–June 2019. A total of 202 mothers/caregivers received intervention and 202 did not receive intervention. A pre-structured questionnaire was used to gather information on household WASH activities and diarrheal cases. Baseline data were collected first from the intervention group before providing education. WASH messages were given to the intervention group by face-to-face discussion. Both groups were followed up for diarrheal episodes for 3 months. Diarrheal prevalence of intervening group is compared with that of baseline and control. The results revealed that diarrheal prevalence was 11.4% (95% CI: 7.4–16.59%), 4.0% (95% CI: 1.7–7.65%), and 14.9% (95% CI: 10.25–20.52%) in baseline, intervention, and control group, respectively. Also, diarrhea was found lower in the intervention group than baseline (Z = − 2.524; P value = 0.012) and control (Z = − 1.85; P value = 0.04). WASH interventions were found effective to reduce the diarrheal episodes among under five children in rural community. Further investigation is necessary to assess the long-term effect of such intervention in other similar settings.