Socio-demographic and food safety practices correlates of diarrhoea among mothers, nursing 6-12-month-old children in the Sekyere South District, Ghana

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Abstract Background: Diarrhoea remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in many low- and middle-income countries, especially among children under five. Its transmission is strongly linked to poor socio-demographic conditions, inadequate food handling, and unsafe food storage practices. Understanding the predictors of diarrhoea is essential to guide effective public health interventions. Objective: This study aimed to assess the association between socio-demographic characteristics, food handling and storage practices, and the occurrence of diarrhoea among participants in the Sekyere South District of Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used, involving 571 respondents selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Purposive and random sampling were used to select six health facilities, followed by quota and convenience sampling to recruit participants. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analysed using both bivariate (Chi-square tests) and multivariate (logistic regression) analyses to identify significant predictors of diarrhoea. Results: Marital status, occupation, and educational level were significantly associated with diarrhoea in both bivariate and multivariate analyses (p < .05). Participants who were unemployed, had lower educational attainment, or were divorced/separated had higher odds of reporting diarrhoea. Among food handling practices, reading nutritional labels and avoiding food preparation during skin infections were significantly associated with reduced diarrhoea occurrence. Furthermore, all four food storage practices assessed: covering dustbins, appropriate refrigeration of perishables, separating raw and cooked foods, and timely consumption of leftovers, were significantly linked to lower diarrhoea prevalence. Conclusion: The findings highlight the critical role of socio-demographic and food safety factors in the prevalence of diarrhoea. Public health interventions should focus on improving food hygiene knowledge and practices, particularly among vulnerable groups with lower education or employment status.

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