Profiling acute respiratory tract infections in children from assam, India
Farzana Islam1, Ratna Sarma, Arup Debroy
1Department of Community Medicine, Mata Gujri Memorial Medical College, Kishanganj, Bihar, India.
Insights
Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are a major cause of death in young children. This study found a 26.22% ARI prevalence in Guwahati, linked to poor housing and nutrition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Acute respiratory infections (ARI) represent a significant global health burden, particularly impacting child mortality and morbidity rates.
- Under-five children are disproportionately affected by ARI, highlighting a critical area for public health intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of ARI in children under five years of age.
- To identify key risk factors associated with ARI in this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in urban slums of Guwahati, Assam.
- Data were collected from 370 under-five children across 184 households.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of ARI was found to be 26.22%, with infants and female children being more affected.
- Significant risk factors included inadequate ventilation, attached kitchens, overcrowding, poor nutritional status, and incomplete primary immunization.
- Living conditions such as nuclear families, kutcha houses, and biomass fuel use were prevalent among ARI cases.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of ARI was observed in under-five children in the study area.
- Modifiable socio-demographic, nutritional, and environmental factors were identified as significant contributors to ARI.
- Community education on these risk factors is crucial for effective disease prevention and control.
Background:
Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are leading global cause of under-five mortality and morbidity.
Objective:
To elicit the prevalence and risk factors associated with ARI among under-five children.
Materials And Methods:
A community-based cross-sectional study was undertaken in 21 registered urban slums of Guwahati in Assam to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with ARI among 370 under-five children from 184 households and 370 families.
Results:
The prevalence of ARI was found to be 26.22%; infants and female children were more affected. Majority of the ARI cases were from nuclear families (84.54%), living in kutcha houses (90.72%) with inadequate ventilation (84.54%), overcrowded living condition (81.44%), with kitchen attached to the living room (65.98%) and using biomass fuel for cooking (89.69%). ARI was significantly associated with ventilation, location of kitchen in household; presence of overcrowding, nutritional status, and primary immunization status also had impacts on ARI.
Conclusion:
The present study had identified a high prevalence of the disease among under-fives. It also pointed out various socio-demographic, nutritional, and environmental modifiable risk factors which can be tackled by effective education of the community.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract I: Health History
Subjective Data
Subjective data provides vital information about the patient's health history and symptoms. This data is typically collected through interviews in which patients describe their experiences, symptoms, and concerns.
Health history and key...
01:23Assessment of Respiration
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD,...
01:20Sputum Studies II: Culture and Sensitivity
Sputum culture and sensitivity is a medical procedure used to diagnose bacterial infections in the respiratory tract and select the most appropriate antibiotics for treatment. This process involves analyzing sputum samples of thick and opaque secretions produced in the lungs and airways. These samples are collected from patients and then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The test can identify various pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including Streptococcus,...
01:29Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
01:30Acute Pharyngitis
Acute pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx), commonly resulting in a sore throat. It is a frequently encountered condition that prompts individuals to seek medical advice.
Classification
Acute pharyngitis can be categorized based on its underlying cause:
01:27Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration can...