ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION AND HYGIENE BEHAVIOR AS RISK FACTORS FOR THE INCIDENCE OF DIARRHEA AMONG CHILDREN AGED 0–59 MONTHS IN THE WORKING AREA OF JEULINGKE PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER, BANDA ACEH CITY

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Diarrhea remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children under five, particularly in developing countries, and is closely linked to environmental sanitation and family hygiene behavior. This study aimed to analyze the association between clean water availability, household wastewater management, and hygiene behavior with the incidence of diarrhea among children aged 0–59 months in the working area of Jeulingke Public Health Center, Syiah Kuala Subdistrict, Banda Aceh City.

Methods: This study used a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design. The population comprised 158 children aged 0–59 months residing in five villages within the Jeulingke Public Health Center working area. A sample of 113 respondents was determined using the Slovin formula and selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and direct observation of environmental sanitation conditions, then analyzed univariately and bivariately using the Chi-Square test at a significance level of α = 0.05.

Results: Of the 113 children studied, 75 (66.4%) had experienced diarrhea and 38 (33.6%) had not. Clean water was available for 92 respondents (81.4%), good wastewater management was found in 98 respondents (86.7%), and good hygiene behavior was found in 70 respondents (61.9%). Bivariate analysis showed a significant association between clean water availability and diarrhea incidence (p = 0.020), whereas wastewater management (p = 0.393) and hygiene behavior (p = 0.421) showed no significant association.

Conclusion: Clean water availability was significantly associated with the incidence of diarrhea among children aged 0–59 months, while wastewater management and hygiene behavior were not. Improving access to and safe use of clean water should be prioritized in diarrhea prevention efforts in the Jeulingke Public Health Center working area.