Acute respiratory infections control in the context of the IMCI strategy in the Americas

Abstract

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are an important cause of morbidiyty and mortality in children all over the World, particularly in developing countries. Contrasts in mortality can be observed among the countries in America, and also within the countries. Contrasts are also observed in morbidity, associated with differences in nutritional status, absence of breast-feeding and characteristics of care given for ill chidren. Parents perception of disease, patterns and habits of care administered to child during the illness, level of concern about decision to seek assistence, manner in wich care is sought and extent to wich recommendations are followed have great influence in the course and outcome of the disease. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is an increasing problem in America, with an average of 26,1% resistance of Streptococcus pneumonia to penicilin. Antibiotics are frequently used in irrational way, and up to 70% of ARI receive antibiotics unnecessarily. Controlling IRA has become a priority. Preventive interventions with vaccines, specially current conjugate vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, and standardized case management, as proposed by Integrated Management of Childhood Ilness (IMCI) seems to be the most important steps for this public health problem.

Causes of Hospitalization among Children Ages Zero to Nine Years Old in the City of São Paulo, Brazil

“…These percentages were also found in several other studies 3,21,22. Individual factors, such as immunological immaturity and the anatomical characteristics of the respiratory tree, along with life habits that predispose to exposure to infectious and irritating agents affecting the respiratory tract, explain the vulnerability of the pediatric age group to respiratory diseases 23,24. In addition to standing out as the most frequent condition, this study observed CIs for those causes increased in the city and decreased in Brazil, for the three appraised age groups.…”

Clinical-epidemiological evaluation of respiratory syncytial virus infection in children attended in a public hospital in midwestern Brazil

“…Children younger than five years old, who become ill and use the health care system, frequently suffer from respiratory infections. Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is the most common manifestation, and it is responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates, especially in developing countries [1][2][3]. A study conducted in Sao Paulo city in 1996 revealed that 27.7% of hospitalized children within that age group had ARI [1].…”

Use of antibiotics in the health care unit: 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort

“…The management of acute respiratory infection has been a priority in recent decades, with the implementation of control and prevention programs 5,7,[28][29][30] . Training in Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) to classify diseases that really require antibiotics can be critical for better care.…”