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Open Access 01-03-2024 | Diarrhea

Associations between Shared Sanitation, Stunting and Diarrhoea in Low-Income, High Density Urban Neighbourhoods of Maputo, Mozambique - a Cross-Sectional Study

Authors: Laura Braun, Amy MacDougall, Trent Sumner, Zaida Adriano, Edna Viegas, Rassul Nalá, Joe Brown, Jackie Knee, Oliver Cumming

Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal | Issue 4/2024

Abstract

Introduction

Shared sanitation facilities are used by over 500 million people around the world. Most research evidence indicates that shared sanitation conveys higher risk than household sanitation for many adverse health outcomes. However, studies often fail to account for variation between different types of shared facilities. As informal housing development outpaces sanitation infrastructure, it is imperative to understand which components of shared facilities may mitigate the health risks of shared sanitation use.

Methods

This cross-sectional study determines whether sanitation improvement or compound hygiene were associated with stunting or diarrhoeal prevalence in children under five living in Maputo, Mozambique who rely on shared sanitation facilities. The study uses logistic and linear multivariable regression analysis to search for associations and control for potential confounding factors.

Results

346 children (43.9%) in the study population were stunted. Each unit increase in sanitation score was associated with an approximate decrease of 22% in the odds of stunting (OR: 0.78, CI: 0.66, 0.92), and an increase in height of 0.23 height-for-age z-scores (CI: 0.10, 0.36). There was no evidence that the compound hygiene score was associated with height as measured by stunting (OR: 1.05, CI: 0.87, 1.26) or z-score (-0.06, CI: -0.21, 0.09). Neither sanitation nor compound hygiene score were associated with diarrhoea in the population.

Conclusions

Use of an improved shared latrine is associated with decreased odds of stunting. There is no evidence of an association between latrine improvement and diarrhoea. Further investigation is necessary to isolate attributes of shared sanitation facilities that may reduce health risks.

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Title: Associations between Shared Sanitation, Stunting and Diarrhoea in Low-Income, High Density Urban Neighbourhoods of Maputo, Mozambique - a Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Laura Braun
Amy MacDougall
Trent Sumner
Zaida Adriano
Edna Viegas
Rassul Nalá
Joe Brown
Jackie Knee
Oliver Cumming
Publication date: 01-03-2024
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Diarrhea
Diarrhea
Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal / Issue 4/2024
Print ISSN: 1092-7875
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6628
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-024-03924-4

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Associations between Shared Sanitation, Stunting and Diarrhoea in Low-Income, High Density Urban Neighbourhoods of Maputo, Mozambique - a Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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