RISK FACTORS FOR ACUTE LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION IN CHILD SUBJECTS

Abstract

Background: Acute lower respiratory tract infections, or ALRTIs, are the leading cause of death for children under five. Finding the modifiable risk factors for severe ALRTI can significantly lower the burden of ALRTI. Aim: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the risk factors for acute lower respiratory tract infections in children under five years of age. Methods: Participants with ALRTI were included in the trial, while controls were people who came to the pediatric outpatient department for vaccinations. The possible risk factors in cases and controls were documented using a pre-made structured proforma. Results: 256 child subjects—101 cases and 155 controls—were evaluated in this study. With ORs of 5.13, 2.83, 2.3, 1.83, 24.93, and 6.51, respectively, it was observed that family history of ALRTI, improper immunization age, cooking on media other than LPG, severe malnutrition, upper respiratory tract infection in siblings, and not breastfeeding were significant risk factors for ALRTI. Housing type, insufficient caloric intake, anemia, number of children at home, parental education, parent age, and child gender are non-significant risk factors for ALRTI. Conclusions: The current study shows that severe malnutrition, upper respiratory tract infections in siblings, cooking on media other than LPG, incorrect immunization age, family history of ALRTI, and non-breastfeeding were important risk factors for ALRTI and should be closely watched.