Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infections and Associated Factors Among Under-five Children Visiting Wolaita Sodo University Teaching and Referral Hospital: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Lower respiratory tract infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in children younger than five years. Even if the burden of lower respiratory tract infections in children under-five years had decreased dramatically in the last ten years, it is still the main cause of morbidity and mortality in under five years old children in developing countries. So, this study was aimed to assess lower respiratory tract infections and associated factors among under-five children visiting Wolaita Sodo University Teaching and Referral Hospital.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1-30, 2019, among under-five children attended the Pediatrics outpatient department of Wolaita Sodo University Teaching and Referral Hospital. The data was collected using a semi-structured pre-tested interviewer guided questionnaire. Epi -info (version 7.1.2.0) was used for data entry, and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 was used for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression, crude and adjusted odds ratio with their 95% confidence interval were computed. Finally, p-value <0.05 was used to identify variables that had a significant association with acute lower respiratory tract infection.Result: The prevalence of acute lower respiratory tract infections among under-five children was 40.3% (95%CI: 35.7%- 44.9%). Unvaccinated children (AOR: 2, 95% CI, (1.27-3.16)), non-exclusive/replacement feeding (AOR: 1.85, 95% CI, (1.18-2.91)), households mainly used unclean fuel for cooking (AOR: 2.12, 95% CI, (1.07-4.19)), absence of separate kitchen (AOR: 1.7, 95% CI, (1.09-2.65)), and absence of window in the kitchen room (AOR: 1.69, 95% CI, (1.07-2.68)) showed significant association with acute lower respiratory tract infection.Conclusion: The prevalence of acute lower respiratory tract infections was 40.3%. Unvaccinated children, non-exclusive/replacement feeding, households mainly used unclean fuel for cooking, absence of a separate kitchen, and absence of window in the kitchen room showed significant association with acute lower respiratory tract infection. Therefore, special attention should be given for the environmental sanitation and family health component of the health extension packages.