Prevalence of Acute Respiratory Infection among Under-five Children in a Rural Area of Mysore District
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The study contributes to sustainable development goals (SDG) 3, i.e., by 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age and mainly attempts to focus on rural specific issues.With this background, the study aimed to estimate the prevalence of ARI and the associated factors among under-five children in rural areas of Mysuru district, Karnataka. Materials a n d MethodsA cross-sectional quantitative study was carried for a duration of 6 months from November 2022 to April 2023, in the rural field practice areas of JSS Medical College, Mysuru.The sample size was calculated from a previous study, taking the prevalence of ARI introductionThe World Health Organization (WHO) defines acute respiratory infection (ARI) as, a "child having cough with rapid breathing, chest wall in-drawing, and difficulty breathing, with or without fever, lasting for a duration of 2 weeks."This is most certainly an infectious respiratory ailment that spreads from person to person and most common cause of morbidity and mortality in children under-five worldwide.The statistics of the disease varies among developed and developing countries due to differences in the causes and risk factors. 1 The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) estimated a prevalence of 1.5% of the under-five children having ARI in 2 weeks preceding the survey, with an urban and rural prevalence of 1.2% and 1.7%, respectively.2Due to their anatomical makeup, continuing lung development, relatively immature immune systems, high risk of infection, breathing nearer the ground, and accelerated air consumption, children under the age of five are more vulnerable to infection and have a greater problem with ARI.Acute respiratory infection affects the children under five who live in rural settings.Early identification and treatment of risk factors may thus help shield children from consequences to lower their death and morbidity rates.3 Acute respiratory infection in children are becoming more common, and other factors like low literacy, inadequate breastfeeding, malnourishment, insufficient immunization coverage, and using fuel other than liquefied petroleum gas for cooking could be contributing to this trend by acting as risk factors.
Authors: Likitha Sirigondanahalli Gangadhar, Amogha Shree, Divya Kindiyode Lakshmi Narayanan
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4403101973