Prevalence And Factors Associated With Acute Respiratory Infection Among Under – Five Children In Selected Hospitals, Trichy

Abstract

Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are one of the leading causes of under 5 mortalities globally. Acute respiratory infections of the airways from nostrils to the alveoli. ARIs can be categorized as upper respiratory tract infections and lower respiratory tract infections. It is the most common infectious disease in children under five years, with mild to severe manifestations.

Aim: To find out the prevalence and factors associated with acute respiratory infection among under – five children. Methodology: A cross – sectional study was carried out at Baby Hospital and Pugazhini Hospital at Trichy among under- 5 children attending Paediatric OPD. A total of 367 were selected using convenient sampling technique Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Review Board. Formal permission was obtained from Directors of the hospitals. Prior to data collection, written informed consent was obtained from the Participants. Data were collected by using pre -tested semi – structured tool through interview schedule were used.

Results: The study revealed that children who had symptoms of ARI, half of them had no pneumonia, 15.2% had pneumonia and 11.1 % had severe or very severe pneumonia. The study findings showed that, the variables significantly associated with gender, exclusive breast feeding, no of siblings, religion followed by family, type of family, educational status of the father and mother, occupational status of the mother, socio- economic status of the family, parental smoking and presence of RTI in family.

Conclusion: Parents and family members should be aware of preventing the acute respiratory tract infection by addressing and reducing the factors contributing to Acute Respiratory Infection.