1.1 Introduction
The world health organization (WHO) defines diarrhea as the passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per day in a period not exceeding 14 days (WHO, 2017). Diarrhea is commonly a sign of an infection in the intestinal tract that is caused by different bacteria, virus and parasitic entities (WHO, 2017). In low resource areas, Rotavirus and Escherichia coli bacteria cause the highest incidents of diarrhea (UNICEF, 2016). These microorganisms spread throughout unclean water and contaminated food or from one person to another, and are most widespread in settings with poor hygiene and absence of access to clean drinking water and sanitation (UNICEF, 2016). Diarrhea continues to be one of the leading causes of child mortality, mostly in children less than 5 years of age living in low and middle-income countries (Rosenberg, 2007).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Diarrhea is recognized as a major cause of child morbidity and mortality in developing countries (Banda et al., 2007; Gorter et al., 1998; Kosek, Bern, & Guerrant, 2003). It is the second leading cause of death among children under five years of age worldwide (BBS, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics UNICEF, United Nations Children's Fund, 2007; Larson, Saha, Islam, & Roy, 2006). Global deaths from diarrhea among children aged less than five years were estimated at 1.87 million in 2004 (Boschi-Pinto, Velebit, & Shibuya, 2008; Candy, 1987; Chiller et al., 2006; Khan et al., 2004; Larson et al., 2006). Seventy percent of these deaths are concentrated in 15 developing countries.
Nigeria is one of these 15 countries and diarrhea is responsible for sixty-nine thousands diarrhea deaths (Boschi-Pinto et al., 2008). diarrhea disease is still a major health problem in Nigeria. The government of Nigeria states that diarrhea kills an estimated 25,000 people annually, mostly children (IRIN, 2008). On a daily average, 180-200 diarrhea patients were admitted to the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (ICDDRB) hospital (IRIN, 2008). According to the ICDDRB hospital's statistical surveillance from 2004 to 2008, the total number of children with diarrhea in this hospital was 5596. An average of 1119 diarrhea children (under five) was admitted there annually.
Causes of diarrhea were viruses, bacteria and parasites (Mishra, Gupta, & Yadav, 2004). Contaminated foods play a major role in the occurrence of diarrhea diseases. The transmission of infection occurs by direct contact with the agent, through oral—fecal transmission routes due to poor water quality, unhygienic behaviors, improper storage of food and inadequate sanitation practices (Halvorson, 2004). This may be because mothers lack of awareness about safe drinking water, hygiene practice, feeding children with hygienic food and defecation practices (IRIN, 2008).
Diarrhea is a disease that can be prevented by avoiding contacting with causative agents, but children under 5 years of age are unable to protect themselves from these agents. They are under the care of their mothers; therefore the maternal preventive behaviors for children are very important. There are many studies showing the incidence of diarrhea related to maternal behaviors including hygiene practices, child feeding practices, safe water and defecation practices (Banda et al., 2007; Chiller et al., 2006; Gorter et al, 1998; Khan et al., 2004; Nanan et al., 2003; Osumanu, 2008). Mothers are the closest persons to children. Their behaviors toward their children need to be explored, especially their preventive behaviors.
A previous study showed that maternal behaviors were found to be related to their perceptions (Pancharuniti, Shiyalap, Dung, & Wongsawass, 2004). The results of Pancharuniti et al study carried out in Vietnam indicated that maternal health beliefs towards diarrhea diseases in children played a crucial role in their home management of acute diarrhea. Maternal perceptions on the susceptibility and severity of diarrhea and the benefits and barriers to maternal home care for diarrhea children were significantly correlated to maternal practices. Although diarrhea disease is recognized as a major problem in Bangladesh, no studies on maternal preventive behaviors of diarrhea in children and maternal perceptions have been conducted.
Therefore, this study is carried out in order to explore maternal perceptions and preventive behaviors of diarrhea in children. The results of the study will be used to enhance maternal preventive behaviors of diarrhea in children, which will reduce the incidence of diarrhea in children under five years of age. It can also fulfill the gap in knowledge of maternal preventive behaviors in diarrhea of children in Nigeria.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Causes and Consequences of Diarrhoea Diseases among Under-5 Children in Nigeria.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation reveals the problems of Diarrhea disease which entails that the effect of diarrhea leads to fever among children, poor sanitary condition leads to diarrhea among children, eating of poorly prepared food leads to diarrhea among children, also lack of health education leads to spread of diarrhea, overcrowding can also lead to spread of diarrhea among children etc.
According to WHO (2021), diarrhoeal disease is the second leading cause of death in children under five years old. It is both preventable and treatable. Each year diarrhoea kills around 525 000 children under five. A significant proportion of diarrhoeal disease can be prevented through safe drinking-water and adequate sanitation and hygiene (WHO, 2021).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to identify the Causes and Consequences of Diarrhoea Diseases among Under-5 Children in Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the concept of diarrhea.
- To examine the causes of diarrhea among children in Benin City.
- To examine the effect of diarrhea among children in Benin City.
- To proffer solutions to the causes and effect of diarrhea among children in Benin City.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Does effect of diarrhea lead to fever among children?
- Do poor sanitary conditions lead to diarrhea among children?
- Does eating of poorly prepared food lead to diarrhea in children?
- Does lack of health education lead to spread of diarrhea?
- Does overcrowding lead to spread of diarrhea in children?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant factor instigating Diarrhoea Diseases among Under-5 Children in Nigeria
- H1: There is a significant factor instigating Diarrhoea Diseases among Under-5 Children in Nigeria
1.7 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of the Study
The study is set out to determine the causes and effect of diarrhea among children in Benin City. Therefore, the study is restricted to residents of Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Asymptomatic: Asymptomatic is a person who carry a diseases that are usually capable of transmitting the diseases it means there are no symptoms.
Cholera: This is an infection in the small intestine caused by the bacterium vibrio cholera. The main symptoms are watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated by the feces (waste product) of an infected person, including one with no apparent symptoms.
Contamination: Contamination is the presence of a minor and unwanted constituent (contaminant) in a material, in a physical body in the natural environment, at a workplace etc.
Hygienic: Hygienic recommended for different situation, what is considered hygienic or not can vary between different cultures, genders and etarian groups. Some regular hygienic practices may be considered good habits by a society through neglect of hygiene can be considered disgusting, disrespectful or even threatening.
Microorganism: An organism that is microscopic or submicroscopic or submicroscopic which means it is too small to be seen by the unaided human eye. Microorganisms are very tiny one called organisms, viruses, fungi, and bacteria, and are found everywhere in the world. They are found in all living things, plants and animal.
