Estimation of Acute Diarrhea and Acute Respiratory Infections among Children under Five Years Who Lived in a Peri-urban Environment of Myanmar

Abstract

Exposures to multiple environmental contaminants place children under five years of age at a greater risk to acute diarrhea and acute respiratory tract infections (ARI). To assess this phenomenon, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to examine relationships between environmental conditions and occurrence of acute diarrhea and ARI in peri-urban areas of Yangon Region, Myanmar. Mothers or caretakers of 620 children under five years were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Of these children, 1.0% had acute diarrhea, 45% had ARI and 3.7% had both conditions during last four weeks. Children aged 24-59 months (OR=2.1, 95% CI=0.7-6.5) were more likely to suffer from acute diarrhea and ARI than infants. Bivariate analyses revealed significant associations between attack rate of acute diarrhea and living in a bamboo house, storage of drinking water in a clay pot, using a cloth filter for drinking water and unsafe method of garbage disposal. In addition, significant associations were identified between ARI attack rate and presence of smoke around the house. Multivariate analyses also identified significantly association for acute diarrhea and living in a bamboo house and unsafe waste disposal. Integrated community-based strategies on environmental conditions, water, sanitation and hygiene could reduce the dual burden of these illnesses in children under five years of age.