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Socioeconomic environmental factors and hospitalization for acute bronchiolitis during infancy

L Jansson1, P Nilsson, M Olsson

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. lennart.jansson@pediatrik.mas.lu.se

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|May 23, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Socioeconomic factors significantly impact infant bronchiolitis hospitalizations. Infants in areas with higher social burden, like increased immigrant populations, faced nearly double the hospitalization rates.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Bronchiolitis is a leading cause of infant hospitalization.
  • Understanding factors influencing hospitalization is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between socioeconomic factors and bronchiolitis hospitalization rates in infants.
  • To determine if socioeconomic status affects disease severity in hospitalized infants.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of infants under 1 year hospitalized for bronchiolitis in Malmö, Sweden (1998-1999).
  • Calculation of bronchiolitis hospitalization rates (BHRs) per residential area.
  • Correlation analysis of BHRs with socioeconomic indicators (immigrant percentage, income, unemployment, social benefit).
  • Assessment of disease severity using oxygen saturation, supplemental oxygen duration, and length of stay.

Main Results:

  • Bronchiolitis hospitalization rates varied over fourfold across 10 residential areas.
  • Significant correlations found between BHRs, per capita income, and immigrant percentage.
  • Infants from areas with higher social burden had nearly double the hospitalization rate compared to the city average.
  • Disease severity was similar across all areas, irrespective of socioeconomic status.

Conclusions:

  • Socioeconomic factors are significantly associated with bronchiolitis hospitalization rates in infants.
  • These findings suggest that socioeconomic determinants play a crucial role in the epidemiology of infant bronchiolitis.
  • Targeted public health strategies in disadvantaged areas may reduce infant hospitalization for bronchiolitis.
Abstract

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