Abstract
Background: Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) is a major public health problem. One of the major agents causing community acquired pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus. This study was aimed to correlate between socio-environmental parameters and incidence of LRTI (by s0 pneumoniae ) in rural parts of West Bengal. Materials and Methods: A house to house survey was made in a rural community and sputum samples were collected from persons having features of lower respiratory tract infection. The socio-environmental background of the patients were taken in detail. The pneumococci isolated from the samples were tested for antibiotic susceptibility. Results: Out of 947 samples collected, 70 (4.77%) were positive for S pneumoniae. 15.71% were found to be resistant to penicillin. Highest incidence was found to occur in summer months, and in persons living in narrow spaces and in houses polluted with smoke. Conclusion: Although a low percentage of pneumococci were found among the community acquired pneumonia in rural parts of Bengal, many of the strains showed resistance to penicillin and erythromycin. That is a thing for concern in itself. Better living conditions regarding household with proper smoke outlet facility would have a good impact in bringing down the incidence in this area, where people are already burdened with lack of proper facilities for living.
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