EVALUATING THE RISK FACTORS FOR ACUTE LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION IN CHILD SUBJECTS UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE

Abstract

Background: ALRTI (acute lower respiratory tract infection) is the major cause of mortality in child subjects below
five years of age. The burden of ALRTI can be markedly reduced by identifying the modifiable risk factors for severe
ALRTI.
Aim: The present study aimed to assess the risk factors for acute lower respiratory tract infection in child subjects
under five years of age.
Methods: The present study utilized the case definition of ALRTI given by WHO (World Health Organization). The
study included subjects with ALRTI and subjects visiting the Outpatient Department of Pediatrics for immunization
served as controls. A preformed structured proforma was used to record the potential risk factors in cases and controls.
Results: The present study assessed 256 child subjects with 101 cases and 155 control subjects. It was seen that family
history of ALRTI, inappropriate immunization age, cooking on other mediums than LPG, severe malnutrition, upper
respiratory tract infection in siblings, and lack of breastfeeding were significant risk factors for ALRTI with OR of 5.13,
2.83, 2.3, 1.83, 24.93, and 6.51 respectively. Non-significant risk factors for ALRTI are housing type, inadequate
caloric intake, anemia, number of children at home, education of the parents, age of the parents, and gender of the child.
Conclusions: The present study concludes that family history of ALRTI, inappropriate immunization age, cooking on
other mediums than LPG, severe malnutrition, upper respiratory tract infection in siblings, and lack of breastfeeding
were significant risk factors for ALRTI and should be monitored.