Abstract:
The diarrheal disease remains the most predominant public health problem in
developing countries including Ethiopia. However, there is limited information on the extent of
pathogenic enteric bacteria among pediatric patients with diarrhea in the eastern part of Ethiopia.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of enteric bacterial pathogens, associated
factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among diarrheic pediatric patients at Hiwot Fana
Specialized University Hospital, Harar, Eastern Ethiopia March 15 to May 15, 2021.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 210 diarrheic pediatric
patients were employed by convenience sampling technique. Stool samples were collected and
enteropathogenic bacteria were identified by the standard microbiological techniques and
antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using the disk diffusion method. Data were entered
into Epi info version 7.0 exported and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science
version 20. A multi-variable logistic regression model was constructed and, P-value <0.05 was
considered as statistically significant association.
Results: The overall prevalence of enteric bacterial pathogen was 15.7% (33/210), 95% CI (10.8-
20.6). The most frequently identified isolates were Shigella flexneri/boydii and EHEC O157:H7
with the same rate of 30.30%. All isolated bacteria were 100% susceptible to meropenem.
Besides, 81.8% and 57.6% of isolated enteropathogenic bacteria were resistant to ampicillin and
trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole respectively. The overall prevalence of multi-drug resistance was
42.4%. Malnourished pediatrics (AOR=3.269,95% CI=1.249,8.555) guardians with an
untrimmed fingernail (AOR=3.982, 95% CI =1.368,11.590), watery diarrhea (AOR=4.815,95%
CI = 1.212, 19.127), guardians who hadn’t habit of washing hands before feeding (AOR=4.499,
95% CI =1.412,14.340) were factors associated with isolated bacteria.
Conclusion: The prevalence of pathogenic enteric bacteria was high in the current study.
Malnourished pediatrics and guardians with an untrimmed fingernail were factors associated with
isolated bacteria. All isolated bacteria were 100% susceptible to meropenem and the overall
prevalence of multi-drug resistance was 42.4%. Therefore, Health extension workers should
create awareness about food given for complementary feeding and personal hygiene in the
community to minimize the burden of diarrheal disease
