Factors Associated with Diarrheagenic Escherichia Coli Infection among Children with Diarrhea in Kwali, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Diarrhea caused by diarrheagenic Escherichia coli is a leading cause of illness among children in resource-poor communities. Several non-specific factors facilitate the continuous transmission of diarrheagenic E. coli infection. This study determined the factors associated with the disease among children residing in Kwali, a resource–poor community in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. Methods: This study was a hospital-based unmatched 1:2 case-control study conducted among children with diarrhea (cases) and children without diarrhea (controls) aged between 0–15 years. Data on demographic, environmental, and behavioral factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using STATA 15 and logistic regression was done to determine the factors that were associated with the disease at 0.05 significance level.
Results: Fifty-nine cases of diarrhea and 118 controls were selected for this study. The adjusted multivariable logistic regression model showed that diarrheagenic E. coli infection was more likely among children who lived inside overcrowded rooms (aOR =2.58,95% CI : 0.77 – 8.56) and children with poor hand washing habits (aOR = 6.44, 95% CI: 1.87 – 22.02). Drinking stream water (aOR = 3.23, 95% CI: 1.07 – 9.69) and young age (aOR = 5.91, 95% CI: 1.98 – 17.68) were also associated with diarrheagenic E. coli infection. Conclusion: Overcrowding, poor personal hygiene, young age, and lack of access to improved water and sanitation facilities are some of the factors associated with the transmission and spread of diarrheagenic E. coli infection in Kwali.