1172. Factors Associated With Febrile illnesses in Children in 27 Countries of Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Abstract Background Evidence on the relative importance of various factors associated with febrile illness in children and their heterogeneity across countries can inform the prevention, identification, and management of communicable diseases in resource-limited countries. Heatmap of odds ratios. Country-Specific Odds Ratios for 18 Factors Associated With Febrile illness From Multivariable Adjusted Models. Methods This cross-sectional study of 298 327 children aged 0 to 59 months assessed the strengths of associations of 18 factors with childhood fevers, using Demographic and Health Surveys (2010-2018) from 27 sub-Saharan African countries. A total of 7 direct factors (i.e., respiratory illness, diarrhea, breastfeeding initiation; vitamin A supplements; child's age; full vaccination; sex) and 11 indirect factors (household wealth; maternal education; maternal unemployment, water source; indoor pollution, stool disposal; antenatal care; family planning needs; maternal age, rural residence, and maternal marriage status) were assessed. Febrile illness was defined as the presence of fever in 2 weeks preceding the survey. Results Among the 298 327 children aged 0 to 59 months included in the analysis, the weighted prevalence of fever was 22.65% (95% CI, 22.31%-22.91%). In the pooled sample, respiratory illness was the strongest factor associated with fever in children (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.46; 95% CI, 5.26-5.67; P < .0001), followed by diarrhea (aOR, 2.96; 95% CI, 2.85-3.08; P < .0001), poorest household wealth (aOR, 1.33; 95% CI,1.23-1.44; P < .0001), lack of maternal education (aOR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10-1.41; P < .0001), and delayed breastfeeding (aOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.14-1.22; P < .0001. Febrile illnesses were more prevalent in older children >6 months than those 6 months and younger. Conclusion In this study, respiratory illness, diarrhea, and socioeconomic conditions were the strongest factors associated with fevers in children of sub-Saharan Africa. Major causes of fevers in sub-Saharan Africa may mostly be attributed to respiratory infections and possibly viral—that may not be treated by antimalarial or antibiotics. Point of care diagnostics are needed to identify the pathogenic causes of respiratory infections to guide the clinical management of fevers in limited-resource countries. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.