47 Personal, Familial and Social Characteristics of Infants with Acute Respiratory Infection

Abstract

Background and aims: Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is the most common cause of mortality in children under five years of age in Iran. Its treatment and care costs a lot and if left untreated, can cause irreversible side effects. Identifying predictive factors are essential for proper prevention. This study aims to determine the personal, familial and social characteristics of infants with ARI. Methods: This descriptive study included 375 infants up to 12 months of age which covered 0.7% of all infants in Rasht, Iran who were chosen by simple sampling. Parents were asked about their infants regarding ARI in past two weeks and finally 149 ill infants and 220 well children were assessed. The data collection tool included a self-made questionnaire and data were analyzed using Chi-square and Logit by soft ware SPSS10. Results: A significant relationship between ARI and personal characteristics such as age, rank of children, familial characteristics, mothers under 25 years of age, parents education, mean monthly income, residential housing, parents smoking more than 10 cigarettes daily, house resident with ARI, and social characteristics like sibling in school or day care center, no medical insurance and living in houses 4 family members was indicated. Conclusions: To decrease ARI in infants, exposure to others must be limited in second six months of life, no more than four people in the house, satisfactory economic condition, educated parents, healthy smoking, knowledge of ARI transmission, and proper housing are suggested.