Statistical Analysis of Factors Associated with Diarrhea in Yemeni Children under Five: Insights from the 2022–2023 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey

Abstract

Diarrheal disease remains a significant cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population, particularly among children below five years of age. Although the occurrence of diarrheal episodes is on the decline, its impact continues to escalate at a concerning rate among children under the age of five, especially in developing countries. The objective of this paper is to investigate the factors associated with diarrhea in Yemeni children younger than five years, drawing on data from the latest edition of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) Yemen conducted in 2022–2023. To identify factors associated with the prevalence of childhood diarrhea, bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were utilized. The findings of this study suggest that age group 6–23, unimproved sanitation, and low-income households are associated with high risk of diarrhea in children under five years of age in Yemen. The study contributes additional evidence regarding factors that should be prioritized in public health strategies geared towards reducing diarrheal prevalence among Yemeni children.