TITRE

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Acute Respiratory Infections in Under-Five Children Attending The Bamenda Regional Hospital

AUTEURS

Awungia Tazinya Alexis, Julius Atashili ,Lawrence T. Mbuagbaw , Gregory E. Halle-Ekane Andreas Chiabi, Marie Therese Obama ,

REFERENCES

CaHReF 20116, Yaoundé Conges hall, 23 – 26 August 2016 ,PL028

EMAIL
aawung@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in under-five children worldwide. About 6.6 million children less than five years of age die every year in the world; 95% of them in developing countries and one third of the total deaths is due to ARI. 

This study aimed at determining the prevalence of acute respiratory infections and their associated risk factors in children under five years in the Bamenda Regional Hospital.

A cross-sectional analytic study involving 512 children under five years was carried out during a three month period. Participants were enrolled by a consecutive convenient sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used to collect clinical, socio-demographic and environmental data. The data was analyzed using the statistical software EpiInfo™ version 7. 

The prevalence of ARIs was 54.69%. The prevalence of pneumonia was 22.26%. Risk factors associated with ARI (p<0.05) were: malnutrition; RR 1.48, HIV infection RR 1.37, poor maternal education RR 1.57, exposure to wood smoke RR 1.66, passive smoking RR 1.56 and contact with someone who has cough RR 1.73. 
Age, gender, immunization status, breastfeeding, fathers’ education, parents’ age, school attendance and overcrowding were not significantly associated with ARI.

The prevalence of ARI is high and significantly affected by malnutrition, HIV infection, poor maternal education, exposure to wood smoke, passive cigarette smoking, and contact with persons having a cough. Control programs should focus on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ARIs.

MOTS CLES

Acute, Respiratory Infections, Risk Factors, Prevalence, Under-five