Abstract
Background: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) affects an estimated 1.7 billion people globally each year and disproportionately burdens communities in low- and middle-income countries. AGE In this study, is defined as the self-reported passage of loose stools three or more times within a 24-hour period, with at least one episode occurring during the two weeks preceding the survey. In South African informal settlements inadequate sanitation, contaminated water sources and overcrowding exacerbate transmission. Most local studies focus on children under five, leaving a knowledge gap regarding determinants of AGE among adults. This study aimed to determine factors associated with AGE illness among households in the Dobsonville informal settlement, Soweto, South Africa.
Methods: A quantitative analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among adult household members across three settlement sections (Snake Park, Mnnesi Park, and Dorn Park). Eligible participants were adults aged 18 years and older who had resided in the settlement for at least six months, while those residing for less than six months were excluded. The exposure variables were sociodemographic, environmental, and behavioural factors, and the outcome variable was acute gastroenteritis (AGE) reported within the two weeks preceding the survey. One-stage cluster sampling was employed. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS v28, with descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariate binary logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The overall prevalence of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) was 32.7% (n=36/110).
Results: A total of 110 adult household members participated in the study. The overall prevalence of AGE was 32.7% (n=36/110). Most participants were aged 46–59 years (37.3%), followed by those aged 31–45 years (29.1%) and ≥60 years (27.3%), while only 6.4% were aged 18–30 years. Females comprised 54.5% of the participants, and 54.5% were unemployed. More than one-third (38.5%) had no formal education, and most households consisted of five to six members. The overall prevalence of AGE among the study participants was 32.7% (36/110).Significant predictors on multivariate binary logistic regression analysis included: lack of access to clean water adjusted odds ratio with a confidence interval ranging from (aOR=1.22; 95% CI: 1.05–1.42; p=0.011), use of bore/yard piped water versus tap water (aOR=1.29; 95% CI: 1.14–1.46; p<0.001), widowed marital status (aOR=1.44; 95% CI: 1.23–1.68; p<0.001)...