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September 2, 2025
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December 11, 2025
Published
December 29, 2025
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Abstract

Background: Diarrhea accounts for nearly one in five child deaths, with approximately 1.5 million annual fatalities, mainly in peri-urban and rural settings with poor living conditions. This study assessed environmental and household Behavioral factors associated with childhood diarrhea in Maluku I.


Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 239 households with children aged 0–59 months. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using logistic regression, with associations expressed as odds ratios (ORs) and p-values (<0.05).


Results: The prevalence of childhood diarrhea was 21.3%. Households with clean yards showed an 11-fold lower risk (OR = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.01–0.88; p = 0.039), whereas access to improved water reduced the risk by 7.7-fold (OR = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.11–0.29; p < 0.001). Lack of handwashing at critical times emerged as the strongest risk factor, increasing the likelihood of diarrhea approximately six-fold (OR = 6.13; 95% CI: 2.09–18.00; p < 0.001).


Conclusion: Childhood diarrhea in Maluku I remains highly prevalent and is strongly influenced by modifiable environmental and behavioral factors, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

Keywords

Childhood diarrhoea environmental factors behavioral factors Kinshasa Maluku I

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Copyright (c) 2025 Bismarck Wembolua Bismarck, Ngweme Ngakiama Beni Georgette, Bantapi Bilumbu James, Mupila Lotus Vainqueur, Kitani Badila Christine, Kambale Makombani Corneille

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Author Biographies

Bismarck Wembolua Bismarck, University of Kinshasa, DR Congo

Dr Bismarck Wembolua is a medical doctor (MD, University of Kisangani) and holds a Master of Public Health in Environmental Health from the Kinshasa School of Public Health (MPH, University of Kinshasa). He works within the Ministry of Public Health. His professional interests focus on environmental health, eco-epidemiology, and WASH interventions.

Ngweme Ngakiama Beni Georgette, University of Kinshasa, DR Congo

Prof. Ngweme Ngakiama Beni Georgette is a faculty member in the Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa. She is actively engaged in the One Health approach. Her research interests include environmental health, zoonotic diseases, and integrated health systems.

Bantapi Bilumbu James, University of Kinshasa, DR Congo

Bantapi Bilumbu James is an environmental engineer working at the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. He specialises in environmental assessment and monitoring. His professional interests include environmental impact studies and policy implementation.

Mupila Lotus Vainqueur, International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Mupila Lotus Vainqueur is a graduate of the International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE), Ouagadougou. He works within the Ministry of Public Health. His interests include humanitarian WASH interventions and water and sanitation systems management.

Kitani Badila Christine, University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Kitani Badila Christine is a medical doctor with a Master of Public Health in Environmental Health. She works in the health sector, focusing on primary health care delivery. Her interests include environmental health and improving access to quality basic health services.

Kambale Makombani Corneille, University of Kinshasa, DR Congo

Kambale Makombani Corneille is a medical doctor and environmental health expert. He has extensive experience in humanitarian WASH programmes. His work includes interventions in refugee camp settings in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

How to Cite
Wembolua, B., Ngweme Ngakiama Beni Georgette, Bantapi Bilumbu , J., Mupila Lotus Vainqueur, Kitani Badila Christine, & Kambale Makombani Corneille. (2025). Environmental and Behavioral Factors Associated with Childhood Diarrhea in the Rural Health Zone of Maluku I, Kinshasa, DR Congo. Pan-African Journal of Health and Environmental Science, 4(2), 149–163. https://doi.org/10.56893/ajhes2025v04i02.10
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