# Introduction espite there is a decline in the trend, millions of children under five are still dying as a result of the preventable diarrheal disease characterized by the passage of loose or watery stool for three or more times during a 24-hour's period (Gerald T. Keusch, et al., 2001). It is responsible for 17 % of all deaths (about 2.5 million deaths each year) among children under-five years in the world which is higher than AIDS, malaria, and measles combined (UNICEF/ WHO, 2009). The majority (42%) of this death is concentrated in the Sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia (88 per 1,000 live births) where hygiene and sanitation is poor (Bryce J, et al., 2005 and Central Statistical Agency [Ethiopia] and ICF International, 2011). Recent national estimates indicate that, the two week period prevalence is approximately 13% (Central Statistical Agency [Ethiopia] and ICF International, 2011). Moreover, local studies reported a prevalence rate of 31% in southern Ethiopia, 22.5% in Eastern part of Ethiopia and 18% to 24.9 % in Northwest Ethiopia (Muluken D, et al., (2011), Shikur M, et al.,2013, Bezatu M et al.,2013, Amare D, et al 2007). Though these few reports were available, further evidence is required in different regions of the country where up to date information were not available to monitor the progress for the efforts done to achieve the millennium development goals. This study will help as an input for decision-makers in the health department to prioritize interventions that are required to overcome the progression of the problem. # II. # Methods # a) Study design and period A community based cross sectional study was conducted among children less than 5 years of age in Enemay district. It is one of the 18 districts of east Gojjam zone, Amhara regional state located at 87 Kms away from Debre Markos town. In this districts there are 34 kebeles, 7 health centers and 35 health posts are available to provide health service to the community. The sample size was determined using single population proportion formula. The assumptions were Z critical for an alpha value of 0.05, Margin of error of 0.05, previous prevalence of 0.5, design effect of 1.5 and a non response rate of 10%. With the above assumptions the final sample size came up with 634. # c) Sampling Method and procedure To select the sample First 7 kebeles were selected from 34 kebeles by simple random sampling technique; and then proportional allocation to population in each kebele was made to allocate the samples that were drown from the kebeles. Finally using the list of household in the kebele the samples were drown every escape interval (K). In cases where there was more than one child in a household, one child was selected using lottery method. # d) Variables The study variables were selected after review of related literatures in the context of the study area. The outcome variable of this study was diarrheal disease and it was measured interms of the occurrence of loose/ watery diarrhea at least three times per day for the last two weeks. # e) Data Collection and Analysis Structured questionnaires and observation checklist were prepared in English and translated to local language. Individuals with better experience has assigned as data collector and supervisor. Training was given on how to maintain the quality of data, ethical issues and the like. After pretest the necessary corrections were made and then the actual data collection was undertaken. The Collected data were checked for errors and cleaned on daily basis. Finally it was coded, analyzed using SPSS version 16. Unvariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis was done. Results were presented using tables and figures. OR with corresponding 95% CI were used to determine relationships between selected predictor variables and diarrheal disease. f) Operational definition Hand-washing at critical times: Hand washing before and after cooking foods, after the latrine use. Proper hand washing: Hand washing with soap or ash at critical times. Kebele: The lowest government administrative hierarchy. # g) Ethical Considerations Ethical clearance was obtained from the research and ethical review committee of GAMBY College of medical sciences. The health department at regional, zonal and districts level was communicated legally for its permission and each of the interviewers were requested verbal consent before the interviewee. # III. # Result a) Socio demographic and economic Characteristics A total of 634 households were included in this study with response rate of 100%.From the attendants of mothers, 579 (91.3) were married, illiterate 522(82.3), Orthodox by religion 579(91.3) and farmers by their occupational status 502 (79.2). The mean age of the child was 2.26 (± 1.123). From the total 634; most of the households ,565 (89.1%) were accessed with improved water source and the distance to collect water took 16-30 minute for the majority ,350(55.2 %) of households. More than half of the respondents ,339(53.5%) were not using treated water for drinking. Most of the respondents, 517 (81.5%) have latrine in their households and the majority of them 466(90%) were functional during the interview and most of them,348(67.3%) were using the latrine all the time. During the period of data collections, feces was observed around the hole of 307(59.4%) latrine facilities and in the compound of 196(30.9%) household. Most of the respondents were not prepared proper waste disposal system for both liquid and solid waste. In order to control the effect of Confounding first the association of each independent variable on the dependent variable was assessed and then those variables p value of less or equal to 0.2 were entered to multivariable analysis to identify their independent effect on diarrheal disease. At the end Mothers Education (AOR, 2.49; 95%CI, 1.28-4.83),Mother Occupation (AOR, 1.78; 95%CI, 1.05-3.00), Liquid waste disposal (AOR, 2.27; 95%CI, 1.40-3.68), Measles Vaccination (AOR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.10-0.37) and Vitamin A supplementation (AOR, 3.98; 95%CI, (2.42-6.53). IV. # Disscussion The current study investigated the prevalence of diarrheal disease and its associated factors in under five children. Based on the study, the two-week period prevalence of diarrheal disease was 18.6 %. This was in line with the finding in the study done in northern part of Ethiopia, 18.2% (Muluken D, et al., 2011), Eastern part of Ethiopia 22.5% (Amare D, et al., 2007) and North Gonder zone 17.9% (Mitike G, 2001) and it was lower than the finding in Arba Minch district 31% (Shikur M, et al, 2012) and Awi zone 24.9 % (Bezatu M,et al., (2013). However, the current finding was higher than the finding This difference might be due to the difference in hygiene and sanitation measures taken in Northeast Brazil where intervention was done before conducting the prevalence study. In this study children living with non educated mothers were about 2.49 times more likely to develop diarrheal disease than those who were living with primary and secondary education level which is in line with the study done in Northern parts of Ethiopia (Muluken D, et al., 2011). This difference might be due to the fact that educated mothers are more likely to have better knowledge towards good hygienic, feeding and weaning practices. Those children from mothers who were farmers by their occupation were 0.44 less likely to 0.44 less likely to develop diarrheal diseases than children from mothers of others occupational category. Even though not considered in the current study, the reason migh t be the difference in the variety of food items children took. Children from mothers who were farmers in Enemay district might gain Varity of food items as compared with those children from mothers who were not farmers. According to this study, children from households which dispose liquid wastes inappropriately were also 2.27 (AOR, 1.40-3.68) times more likely to develop diarrheal disease. district, Ethiopia (Girma R., et al, 2007). Liquid waste contains different pathogens which can cause diarrheal disease in children. The proper disposal of liquid waste protects food materials from contamination since flies cannot reach it easily. To the contrary if not disposed properly it will be easily accessible for flies that can transmit pathogens. Children who didn't took vitamin A supplementation in the last six months of the study had shown 3.98 times more likely to develop diarrheal disease as compared with those who took vitamin A supplementation. This is because Vitamin A is one of the essential micronutrient which prevents infection and strength the immunity of human cells particularly in children (Imdad A., et al., 2011). Similar finding in line with the finding from Brazil where 20% difference in prevalence was observed among the groups who were taking Vitamin A as compared with who were not taking Vitamin A (Barreto ML, et al., 1994) The unusual thing which was observed in this study and to discuss was that, children who were vaccinated for measles were 5 times more likely to develop diarrheal diseases than those who were not vaccinated. In the current study, vaccination status of children were not checked by card rather it was determined by the response of parents, this might # Conclusion Children in the study area were still suffering from this preventable diarrheal disease. Mother's educational and occupational status, inappropriate liquid waste disposal method, children vitamin A supplementation and measles vaccination status were the main factors associated with the two week prevalence of diarrhea. It is recommended that the health department in the study area should designing a mechanism to raise awareness of mothers towards diarrheal disease prevention, proper sanitation and hygiene measures with special emphasis to proper liquid waste disposal system , strengthening vitamin A supplementation program to give for every child of 6 months and above and further research is recommended identify the effect of measles vaccination on the occurrence of diarrheal disease among children of under five years old. VI. 12014VariableCategoryFrequencyNumber%Mother Educational StatusNon educated52282.3Primary and above11217.7Occupation of motherFarmer50279.2Others13220.8Marital StatusMarried57991.3Unmarried182.8Divorce345.4Widowed30.5husband OccupationFarmer53689.2Other6510.8House hold average income<60012228.0>60031372.0Age of the mother (years)15-248112.725-3438961.5>3516425.8Religion of motherOrthodox57991.3Muslim558.7© 2014 Global Journals Inc. (US) 2During assessment of the critical hand washingtrends in the study area; washing hand before foodpreparation ,532(83.9%) were the most frequentlypracticed and follows in sequential order, after toilet 3VariableResponse categoryFrequencyNumber%Diarrheal disease in the past two weeksYes11818.6No51681.4Initiation of first breast milkbefore 1 hr50880.1After 1 hr12619.9Age of Additional food startedUnder 6 months6512.4>= 6 months46087.6Type of additional food startedSoft Porridge27853.0Other18134.5Porridge and Gruel6612.6Hand washing practiceBefore food preparationYes53283.9No10216.1After toilet visitingYes49878.5No13621.5Before food eatingYes42767.4No20732.6Before feeding the childYes44470.0No19030.0Latrine utilization by householdsSometimes5410.4Mostly10720.7Always34867.4During the winter81.5Measles VaccinationYes44970.8No18529.2Vitamin AYes47574.9No15925.1d) Factors associated with diarrheal disease amongunder five children Enemay district 4Ethiopia, 2014Diarrheal diseaseCharacteristicsYesNoCOR(95%CI )AOR(95%CI)Age of mother15-24*22591.001.0025-34643250.52 (0.30,0.92)0.48 (0.26,0.88)>35321320.65 (0.34,1.21)0.62 (0.31,1.23)Age of the child< 6m*111131.001.006-11M351382.60 (1.26,5.36)2.16 (0.94,4.97)12-23M301032.99 (1.42,6.27)1.69 (0.65,4.38)>24 M421622.66 (1.31,5.39)1.60 (0.63,4.03)Mothers Education © 2014 Global Journals Inc. (US) Crossectional Survey; Assessment Of Diarrheal Disease Prevalence and Associated Factors Among Children Under Five In Enemay District, Northwest Ethiopia ## Acknowledgements We would like to thank Bahir Dar University, GAMBY College of Medical Sciences and participants of the study. * Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries GeraldTKeusch O FAlok B 10.11648/j.sjph.20130102.19 2001 * Diarrhea: Why children are still dying and what can be done Unicef/Who 2009 * The Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group. 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Jul 23 * create problem in giving the correct response about which type of vaccine the child took