Prevalence and determinants of Acute Respiratory Infections in children under five in rural mysuru: insights from a cross-sectional study

Background Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age, particularly in rural regions. Understanding the prevalence and determinants of ARIs in such settings is essential for developing targeted interventions. T...

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Main Authors: Nayanabhai Shabad, Anchu R Nath, Manirsha P V
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Makhdoomi Printers 2025-02-01
Series:Global Journal of Medicine and Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://nicpd.ac.in/ojs-/index.php/gjmedph/article/view/4118
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author Nayanabhai Shabad
Anchu R Nath
Manirsha P V
author_facet Nayanabhai Shabad
Anchu R Nath
Manirsha P V
author_sort Nayanabhai Shabad
collection DOAJ
description Background Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age, particularly in rural regions. Understanding the prevalence and determinants of ARIs in such settings is essential for developing targeted interventions. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and identify the key determinants of ARIs in children under five in rural Mysuru, Karnataka, India. Materials & methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in rural areas of Mysuru from January to June 2024. A sample of 400 children under five years old was selected using a convenience sampling method. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical characteristics and family background, breastfeeding practices and ARI symptoms and episodes were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire by interviewing the mother of the child. Descriptive statistics like frequency and percentages were used and inferential statistics like the Chi-square test and Fisher’s Exact test were used to find the factors associated with ARIs. Results The overall prevalence of ARI in the rural area was found to be 46.8 % in the study. Exclusive breastfeeding for six months showed a statistically significant association with acute respiratory infections (ARI) (p = 0.001). 48.3% of exclusively breastfed children experienced ARI. Gender (p = 0.001) and a history of hospital admission (p= 0.000) were also significantly associated with ARI, with female children and previously hospitalized children more affected. Other factors, including age, birth weight, family type, and breastfeeding duration, showed no significant association. Conclusion The study demonstrates a clear association between exclusive breastfeeding for six months and a reduced incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI) among children under five. Additionally, gender and prior hospital admissions were also identified as significant risk factors for ARI, indicating that females and previously hospitalized children are more vulnerable to these infections. These findings suggest the need for enhanced breastfeeding support and targeted interventions to mitigate ARI prevalence in young children.  
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spelling doaj-art-ca8c57437ba744b4a8a846052e6b98f62025-02-09T16:49:05ZengMakhdoomi PrintersGlobal Journal of Medicine and Public Health2277-96042025-02-011306Prevalence and determinants of Acute Respiratory Infections in children under five in rural mysuru: insights from a cross-sectional studyNayanabhai ShabadAnchu R NathManirsha P V Background Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age, particularly in rural regions. Understanding the prevalence and determinants of ARIs in such settings is essential for developing targeted interventions. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and identify the key determinants of ARIs in children under five in rural Mysuru, Karnataka, India. Materials & methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in rural areas of Mysuru from January to June 2024. A sample of 400 children under five years old was selected using a convenience sampling method. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical characteristics and family background, breastfeeding practices and ARI symptoms and episodes were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire by interviewing the mother of the child. Descriptive statistics like frequency and percentages were used and inferential statistics like the Chi-square test and Fisher’s Exact test were used to find the factors associated with ARIs. Results The overall prevalence of ARI in the rural area was found to be 46.8 % in the study. Exclusive breastfeeding for six months showed a statistically significant association with acute respiratory infections (ARI) (p = 0.001). 48.3% of exclusively breastfed children experienced ARI. Gender (p = 0.001) and a history of hospital admission (p= 0.000) were also significantly associated with ARI, with female children and previously hospitalized children more affected. Other factors, including age, birth weight, family type, and breastfeeding duration, showed no significant association. Conclusion The study demonstrates a clear association between exclusive breastfeeding for six months and a reduced incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI) among children under five. Additionally, gender and prior hospital admissions were also identified as significant risk factors for ARI, indicating that females and previously hospitalized children are more vulnerable to these infections. These findings suggest the need for enhanced breastfeeding support and targeted interventions to mitigate ARI prevalence in young children.   https://nicpd.ac.in/ojs-/index.php/gjmedph/article/view/4118Keywords: Acute Respiratory Infections, Children under five, Prevalence, Determinants, Rural Mysuru, Cross sectional study
spellingShingle Nayanabhai Shabad
Anchu R Nath
Manirsha P V
Prevalence and determinants of Acute Respiratory Infections in children under five in rural mysuru: insights from a cross-sectional study
Global Journal of Medicine and Public Health
Keywords: Acute Respiratory Infections, Children under five, Prevalence, Determinants, Rural Mysuru, Cross sectional study
title Prevalence and determinants of Acute Respiratory Infections in children under five in rural mysuru: insights from a cross-sectional study
title_full Prevalence and determinants of Acute Respiratory Infections in children under five in rural mysuru: insights from a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Prevalence and determinants of Acute Respiratory Infections in children under five in rural mysuru: insights from a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence and determinants of Acute Respiratory Infections in children under five in rural mysuru: insights from a cross-sectional study
title_short Prevalence and determinants of Acute Respiratory Infections in children under five in rural mysuru: insights from a cross-sectional study
title_sort prevalence and determinants of acute respiratory infections in children under five in rural mysuru insights from a cross sectional study
topic Keywords: Acute Respiratory Infections, Children under five, Prevalence, Determinants, Rural Mysuru, Cross sectional study
url https://nicpd.ac.in/ojs-/index.php/gjmedph/article/view/4118
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