Knowledge and Hygiene Practices among Residents with Diarrhea in Tete, Mozambique

Abstract

Introduction: Diarrhea is one of the leading causes of child mortality in the world, especially in low-income contexts, where conditions such as limited access to clean water, inadequate sanitation and climate challenges exacerbate the problem. Objective: To describe the knowledge about diarrhea prevention, hygiene practices and housing conditions of residents of the Mateus Sansão Muthemba neighborhood diagnosed with diarrhea. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative study was carried out between January and June 2023, having a sample of 383 inhabitants. Results: The results indicated that most families did not treat the consumed water, they did not have a sanitary sink and they used lidless buckets to conserve water. In addition, socioeconomic difficulties, including low income and labor informalities, negatively impacted hygiene and sanitation to the worst condition. Conclusions: It is concluded that the high prevalence of diarrhea may be directly related to sanitation conditions, inadequate hygiene practices, and socioeconomic inequalities. This study highlights the urgent need for public policies that promote access to drinking water, health education, and improvements in housing infrastructure to mitigate the factors associated with diarrheal diseases in the Mateus Sansão Muthemba neighborhood.