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Determinants of diarrhea prevalence in urban slums: a comparative assessment towards enhanced environmental management

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Abstract

This study relies on a comparative assessment of diarrhea occurrence in two urban slums to identify salient factors influencing case prevalence. Primary data were collected from both areas using a structured closed-ended questionnaire coupled with bottled and public water quality sampling and analysis at households reporting diarrhea cases. The water quality analysis showed contamination at the household level due primarily to the location of water storage tanks, as well as in some brands of bottled water due to lack of enforcement of source monitoring. Descriptive statistics and chi-square distribution tests revealed significant difference in diarrhea cases in both study areas which was correlated with the educational level of household head, financial status, type of water storage tank, and corresponding cleaning frequency as well as the adoption of measures to treat water or the use of bottled water.

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Notes

  1. \( n=\frac{\left[{(z)}^2\times p\times q\right]}{d^2}; \) Where n is the household sample size, z is the confidence interval, p is the probability of success, q is the probability of failure, and d is the margin of error

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Acknowledgments

This study is part of a program on water and sanitation in poor urban slum areas funded by the International Development Research Center (IDRC) of Canada at the American University of Beirut (AUB). Special thanks are extended to Mr. Mark Redwood and Dr. Marwan Owaygen at IDRC for their continuous support throughout the implementation of this program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Bliss street, PO Box 11–0236, Beirut, Lebanon

    M. El-Fadel, R. Maroun, R. Quba’a, D. Mawla & R. Sayess

  2. Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

    M. A. Massoud

  3. Department of Finance, Accounting and Managerial Economics, Olayan School of Business, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

    I. Jamali

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  1. M. El-Fadel
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  2. R. Maroun
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  3. R. Quba’a
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  4. D. Mawla
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  6. M. A. Massoud
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Correspondence to M. El-Fadel.

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El-Fadel, M., Maroun, R., Quba’a, R. et al. Determinants of diarrhea prevalence in urban slums: a comparative assessment towards enhanced environmental management. Environ Monit Assess 186, 665–677 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3406-x

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