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Incidence of diarrhea and risk factors among wastewater-irrigating urban farmers along Akaki Rivers in Addis Ababa

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Michaela Goodson, Professor Claire Walsh

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Abstract

© 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. The importance of diarrhea risk associated with wastewater exposure in agriculture is almost unknown. This study aimed to examine diarrheal infection and risk factors among farmers using wastewater for irrigation in Addis Ababa. A cross-sectional study was employed among 380 farmers (190 exposed and 190 unexposed farmers). Among these, a cohort of 200 adults (100 wastewater-exposed, 100 unexposed farmers) aged 25–69 years were selected and followed up biweekly for two successive vegetables growing seasons to examine the incidence of diarrhea. The incidence rate of reported diarrhea was 12 episodes per 1,000 person-weeks at risk and a maximum of 17 episodes per 1,000 person-weeks at risk. Strongly associated risk factors include washing body and clothes with wastewater [AOR: 4.2, 95%CI (1, 11.2)], using working clothes at home [AOR: 4.7, 95%CI (0.25, 87)], and wearing protective cloth [AOR: 5.6, 95 CI (0.3, 70)]. Moreover, hand washing after work, washing feet and boots, and on-site hand washing were significant determinants of farmers’ diarrhea. Exposure to wastewater significantly contributes to the risk of diarrhea among adults. Significant determinants of diarrhea among farmers include washing the body and clothes with irrigation water, contamination with soil and irrigation water, and on-site hand washing. Increased risk factors include hand contamination, washing vegetables with irrigation water, eating raw vegetables, and using work clothes at home.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Ali AS, Gari SR, Goodson ML, Walsh CL, Dessie BK, Ambelu A

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: International Journal of Environmental Health Research

Year: 2024

Pages: ePub ahead of Print

Online publication date: 30/06/2024

Acceptance date: 25/06/2024

ISSN (print): 0960-3123

ISSN (electronic): 1369-1619

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd

URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2024.2374001

DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2024.2374001

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