• Selam Fisiha Kassa, Tewodros Getaneh Alemu, Masresha Asmare Techane, Chalachew Adugna Wubneh, Nega Tezera Assimamaw, Getaneh Mulualem Belay, Tadesse Tarik Tamir, Addis Bilal Muhye, Destaye Guadie Kassie, Amare Wondim, Bewuketu Terefe, Bethelihem Tigabu Tarekegn, Mohammed Seid Ali, Beletech Fentie, Almaz Tefera Gonete, Berhan Tekeba, Bogale Kassahun Desta, Amare Demsie Ayele, Melkamu Tilahun Dessie, and Kendalem Asmare Atalell.
• Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
• Patient Prefer Adher. 2022 Jan 1; 16: 1713-1721.

IntroductionDiarrhea causes a loss of body water and salt, which can lead to dehydration and death. The use of oral rehydration salts and zinc together is regarded as an effective treatment for diarrhea in resource-poor settings like Ethiopia. However, studies that examine the co-utilization of oral rehydration solution and zinc in the treatment of diarrhea are limited Ethiopia.ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence and associated factors of oral rehydration solution and zinc co-utilization to treat diarrhea in children under the age of five in Ethiopia, EDHS 2016.MethodsSecondary data from the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) was used to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with the co-utilization of ORS and zinc to treat diarrhea in under-five children. A multilevel binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with the co-utilization of ORS and zinc. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% CI were calculated and used as a measure of associations, and variables having a p-value of less than 0.05 were declared as statistically significant.ResultsThe national prevalence of ORS and zinc co-utilization was 16.65% (14.66%, 18.84%). Maternal educational status (AOR = 1.45; 95% CI; (1.01, 2.09)), household size (AOR = 1.53; 95% CI; 1.09, 2.16) and distance to health facilities at the community level (AOR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.02, 2.58) were variables significantly associated with the co-use of ORS and zinc.ConclusionThe co-utilization of ORS and zinc for the management of diarrhea was low in Ethiopia. Education, household size, and distance to health facilities at the community level were significantly associated with the co-utilization of ORS and zinc in Ethiopia.© 2022 Kassa et al.

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