Analysis of upper respiratory tract infection surveillance data in Tolon district, 2011-2015

Abstract

Introduction : upper respiratory tract infection (URI) is a nonspecific term used to describe acute infections involving; the nose, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, larynx, trachea, and bronchi. Most URIs occur more frequently during the cold winter months. URIs spread from one person to another through aerosol droplets and direct hand-to-hand contact. WHO estimated that 4.3 million of 12.9 million of deaths among children under five years were as a result of URI. In the developing countries, seven out of ten children under 5 years of age die as a result of RTI. Upper respiratory tract infection (URI) has always been part of the top five disease in Tolon district. Surveillance data was analyzed to determine the trend of URI cases from 2011 to 2015, the distribution of cases among age groups, gender, and sub-districts. Methods : descriptive secondary data analysis on all URI cases reporting at OPD in all health facilities in the district from 2011 to 2015 among all ae groups. Data was obtained from the District Health Information Management System2 (DHIMS2). Data was analyzed by using Microsoft Excel according to person, place and time. Results : from 2011 to 2015, URI cases increased from 13.8% to 16.9% and suddenly declined to 11% for two consecutive years but eventually increased to 12.8% respectively. URI cases usually peaked in October in each year. Children below five years were the most population affected whereas sixty years and above were the least affected population. Nyankpala Sub-district recorded the highest followed by Tolon sub-district and Kpendua sub-district had the least proportion of cases. More than 50% of cases were females. Conclusion : there has been a reduction in URTI cases in the district especially from 2012 to 2015. Cases always peaks up in October almost every year. Under five years children are the most affected groups. Females were mostly affected than males. Nyankpala sub-district recorded the highest proportion of URI cases whereas Kpendua Sub-district recording the least proportion.