Üniversite Hastanesine Başvuran Çocuklarda COVID-19 Pandemisi İlaç Dışı Müdahalelerin Üst Solunum Yolu Enfeksiyonlarına Etkisi

Abstract

Aim: To determine effects of non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 precaution measures on the frequency of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in children aged 6-18. Materials And Methods: The research is of cross-sectional type. The sample size was calculated as 316 people. The participation rate is 84.81% (n= 268). The dependent variable of the study is URTI in the last year; The independent variables are sociodemographic characteristics, characteristics related to URTI, and measures taken regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were collected from the people who applied to the university hospital pediatrics polyclinic. Results: The frequency of URTI in children in the study group in the last year is 36.6% and compared to the pre-pandemic period, the frequency of URTI has decreased by 71.3%. Previous history of hospitalization for any reason increases the status of having URTI in the last year by 1.9 times (95% CI 1.1- 3.3); mask usage in the child being rarely/occasionally increases the status of having URTI in the last year by 2.7 times (95% CI 1.2-6.1), mask usage never increasing status of having URTI in last one year by 6 times (%95 CI 1.5-23.8) increase. Conclusion: Compared to the pre-pandemic period, the frequancy of URTI in children decreased by 71.3% according to the data received from parents. In the study,it was determined that using only the masks from the public health measures applied during the COVID-19 pandemic was effective in reducing the frequency of upper respiratory tract infection and that the use of masks in the community, especially in children, should be encouraged. Children with a history of hospitalization should be provided with masks in public areas.