Fatal and Non-Fatal Health Outcomes of Infectious Diarrheal Diseases Among Neonates in Ethiopia from 1990 to 2023: An Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study

Diarrhea remains a major global public health burden in resource-limited settings. This study described the burden of neonatal diarrhea in Ethiopia from 1990 to 2023 using Global Burden of Diseases 2023 estimates and methods. The estimated incidence rate of neonatal diarrhea was 172,217 new cases per 100,000 population in 2023, equivalent to 1.72 episodes per neonate during the first 28 days of life. The prevalence rate was 1,883.9 cases per 100,000 population, while the mortality rate was 262 deaths per 100,000 population. The total burden was 23,810.3 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 100,000 population, comprising 23,592 years of life lost per 100,000 population and 218 years lived with disability per 100,000 population. Rotavirus was the leading etiology, contributing 7,198.5 DALYs per 100,000 population. This study revealed a persistently high burden of neonatal diarrhea in Ethiopia. Interventions addressing water, sanitation, nutrition, and vaccination are needed to reduce the burden.