The main objective of this study is to analyse the factors that are associated with diarrheal disease in the rural Caribbean area of Colombia.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural area of the Cesar Department in Colombia, between November 2017 to June 2018. Self-reported cases of diarrheal disease were plotted and water samples from almost 42 households were collected and then analysed. Descriptive statistics of socioeconomic status, sanitary and environmental conditions were evaluated with the diarrheal disease association by the Poisson regression models.

The study results showed that poor water supply conditions with poorbasic sanitation and hygiene were reported in the study area. The water samples collected and analysed were classified as high risk for health problems and unfit for human consumption. The diarrheal disease had a incidence of 7.5% across all the age groups and of 23.5% incidence in children under five years of age. The variables such as rainy season, children <5 years old, water from deep wells, water from artificial ponds, toilets availability and presence of swine were significantly associated with the manifestation of diarrheal disease.

Thus, the study concluded that water supply, basic sanitation and hygiene conditions are associated with the diarrheal disease and it affects nearly a quarter of the human population under five years of age. Effective strategies are necessary to improve sanitation and environmental conditions in rural areas.

Source: Galezzo MA, Günther WMR, Diaz-Quijano FA, Susa MR. Factors associated with diarrheal disease in the rural Caribbean region of Colombia. Rev SaudePublica. 2020 Sep 30;54:90. doi: 10.11606/s1518-8787.2020054002054. PMID: 33027343; PMCID: PMC7524207.