The influence of the use of improved sanitation facilities and improved drinking-water sources on the diarrhea-associated deaths in children under 5 years

Abstract

Diarrhea is one of the main causes of children's death. Due to the importance of health in children under 5 years, this study has been conducted to determine the influence of the use of improved sanitation facilities (UISF) and the use of improved drinking-water sources (UIDWS) on the diarrhea-associated deaths per 1000 live births in this age group. An ecologic study was conducted in 75 countries, and the data on UIDWS and UISF information have been collected by World Health Organization (WHO) under a program named "Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water" (GLAAS). To determine the correlation between UIDWS and UISF with the diarrhea-associated deaths in children, Pearson correlation was applied. Besides, a linear regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between UIDWS and UISF with the diarrhea-associated deaths in children. According to the findings, there was a significant statistical relationship between UIDWS and UISF with the diarrhea-associated deaths in children (p < 0.001). The diarrhea-associated deaths in children under 5 years are influenced by factors such as UIDWS and UISF, and this rate can be reduced making UISF and UIDWS available for people and especially people of rural areas.