# Association of Diarrhea Outcomes with Drinking Water Factors, Sanitation, Hygiene, and Malaria Practices in the Population of Béré, Chad

## TL;DR

This study in Béré, Chad finds that factors like water treatment, sanitation, hygiene, and malaria practices are strongly linked to diarrhea in both adults and children.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific predictors of diarrhea outcomes in a rural Chadian population, emphasizing the role of water, sanitation, hygiene, and malaria practices.

## Key findings

- Drinking water treatment, transport, and storage significantly predict adult diarrhea outcomes.
- Malaria-related factors and poor sanitation practices are strongly associated with children's diarrhea.
- Health advice sources and treatment experiences also influence diarrhea outcomes in both age groups.

## Abstract

Chad, one of the poorest Sub-Saharan Central African countries, has one of the worst global diarrhea burdens. Project 21 seeks to enhance community health in the rural town of Béré, Chad but it is lacking. The study aims to determine diarrhea outcomes and associated factors, such as drinking water, malaria, sanitation and hygiene resources and practices, in Béré. A survey questionnaire was administered by trained community health workers using a random sampling method. The respondents (n = 484) are predominantly Nangtchéré (87%) evangelical (63%) males (88%) aged between 40–59 years old (43%) with secondary school education level (37%) or 8 years of school on average, from nuclear families (78%) with seven members on average, and of medium housing standard (56%). Drinking water treatment, transport and storage (p < 0.001), malaria related factors (p < 0.001), sanitation and hygiene practices (p < 0.001), children diarrhea experience, and treatment (p < 0.001) are predictors of diarrhea outcomes in adults. Also, factors related to drinking water transport, treatment and storage (p < 0.001), malaria (p < 0.001), health advice source (p < 0.001), sanitation and hygiene (p < 0.001), adult diarrhea experiences, and treatment (p < 0.001) are predictors of children diarrhea outcomes. Future interventions targeting the above factors are warranted.