Abstract
Background: Acute respiratory tract infections (ARI) are an important public health problem. Improved identification of risk factors might enable targeted intervention. Objective: To study some of the risk factors related to acute respiratory tract infections among preschool children at Derna, Libya. Methodology: This descriptive study included 800 preschool children from the three kindergartens in Derna between October 2008 and March 2009. All children were subjected to: short questionnaire for detection of detailed history regarding risk factors of acute respiratory infection, history of the illness within the last six months, lines of management and clinical examination. Coding of diagnostic information according to the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC) coding system was done. Ethical consecrations were taken. Results: Males represented 54.4% of all studied preschool children. The number of preschool children suffering from ARI was 320 (40 %). Male gender and passive smoking were cosidered risk factors for ARI (P 0.05). The use of antibiotics in this study was found in 70% of diseased cases, although most of them had no real indication for the use of antibiotics. Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between passive smoking and acute respiratory infection among preschool children.
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