Determinants of Diarrheal Cases among Children under five Years in Households using Domestic Water in Kangemi, Nairobi County, Kenya

Gastrointestinal illnesses known as diarrheal diseases cause loose, watery stools to flow more than three times each day. Inadequate sanitation and hygiene, tainted drinking water, and other factors contribute to the estimated 4 billion cases of diarrhea that occur annually around the world. The situation is even worse in Kenya, where youngsters in Nairobi's slums are exposed to unhygienic conditions. The main goal of this study was to identify the factors that contribute to diarrheal cases in children under the age of five in Kangemi, Nairobi County. The specific goals of this study were to investigate the economic, demographic, and awareness factors of diarrheal illnesses in children under the age of five in Kangemi homes using domestic water. What factors affected the management of domestic water in Kangemi, Nairobi County, for incidences of diarrhoea in children under five years old? This study employed a cross-sectional descriptive study design that included quantitative and qualitative research techniques.The study's target population included 381 parents of children aged 0 to 59 who resided in Kangemi. 195 respondents made up the sample size determined by Yamane (1967).In the quantitative research, 185 respondents were found using proportionate stratified random selection, whilst 10 respondents were chosen using purposive sampling strategies in the qualitative research. To evaluate the validity and reliability of the data gathering instruments, a pre-test was conducted in the Kawangware informal settlement. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis of the data using the SPSS computer 55.3% of respondents strongly agreed that low income was a contributing factor in poor access to medical services,while 70% of respondents strongly agreed that households lacked access to full medical coverage. The study also found that 31.1% of respondents had only a secondary education, while 51.6% of respondents were casual employees. In terms of demographic determinants, the study found that 31.9 percent of respondents strongly agreed that the high population of slums contributes to bad health, while 81.0 percent of respondents strongly agreed that congestion caused inadequate drainage and sanitation facilities. According to awareness determinants, 77.3 percent of respondents strongly believed that residents, strongly agreed that parents received instruction in sanitation to improve their living conditions. In conclusion, the majority of Kangemi households did not have comprehensive medical coverage, and a small number of them had limited access to medical care because of their low income. Due to poor drainage and solid waste management, majority of Kangemi's residential areas were densely populated; creating a slum-like condition that contributed to poor sanitation, hygiene and overall health conditions. Many mothers in the community, according to information, received training in child care but only a small number received instruction in sanitation to enhance their living conditions. The county government of Nairobi City was advised by this study to improve Kangemi inhabitants' access to medical care by lowering medical costs. In order to enhance their living conditions, it was also suggested that the County Government of Nairobi open adrainage system and arrange training for both parents that focused on sanitation in the sub county of Kangemi.