Abstract
This study aimed to assess the potential risk factors for lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI)-related hospital admissions in Mongolian children. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in rural Mongolia in 2013, and 1,013 mother–child pairs were included. Of the participating children, 38.9% were admitted to hospital with LRTIs. Home smoking, low birthweight, being a male child, exclusive breastfeeding and healthcare-seeking behaviour showed substantial association with LRTI-related hospital admissions. Number of cigarettes smoked by family members showed a dose-response relationship and increased hospital admissions. Strategies to prevent second-hand-smoke exposure from adult smokers, especially inside the home, are crucial to preventing LRTI-related hospital admissions for children in Mongolia. Improving rates of exclusive breastfeeding and increasing birthweight have great potential to decrease the likelihood of children acquiring a LRTI. Educational initiatives are also necessary for women who are less likely to seek out care for their children’s symptoms.
Highlights
Women seek care advice regarding their children’s health and illnesses from people within their immediate community, such as relatives, neighbours, traditional healers, and monks
Our study found that children exposed to home smoking, children with a low birthweight, and children who were exclusively breastfed for less than 3 months had higher LRTI-related hospital admissions
Hospital admissions increased if family members smoked a higher number of cigarettes per day
Summary
Women seek care advice regarding their children’s health and illnesses from people within their immediate community, such as relatives, neighbours, traditional healers, and monks. It is probable that in the absence of appropriate and timely healthcare seeking, children’s illnesses such as LRTI could become severe. Information such as about the associated risk factors for LRTI in the Mongolian context is severely lacking. It is crucial to identify the potential risk factors contributing to LRTI in children and associated hospital admission in order to suggest appropriate prevention strategies. We aimed to assess potential risk factors for LRTI-related hospital admissions in Mongolian children aged 3 years old
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