Abstract
Background Acute respiratory infections in particular pneumonia constitutes the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years of age throughout the world. In Ethiopia, pneumonia continues to be the major childhood problem and killer, particularly in the study area. However, evidence dealing with the problem is still unavailable. The current study is aimed at determining the magnitude and risk factors of childhood pneumonia in Gondar City. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was employed in five randomly selected clusters/subcities of Gondar City. A total of 792 child-mother/caregiver pairs in the selected subcities/clusters were included. A pretested and validated questionnaire was used by trained supervisors through house-to-house visits to collect the data. Binary logistic regression (bivariable and multivariable) was employed. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to declare statistically significant variables on the basis of p < 0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression model. Results The prevalence of pneumonia among under-five children in the current study was found to be 12% with 95% CI: 10% to 14.4%. The presence of unpaved road within 100 m of the house (AOR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.41-3.66), living within 100 m of heavy traffic (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.19-3.16), the habit of not opening doors while cooking (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.01-2.62), the presence of cockroach infestation (AOR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.25-3.14), and new carpet in the house (AOR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.01-3.03) were statistically significant variables associated with childhood pneumonia. Conclusions This study indicated that the prevalence of childhood pneumonia is still high. As such, enhancing strategies that would address unpaved roads within 100 m of the house, living within 100 m of heavy traffic, the habit of not opening doors while cooking, cockroach infestation, and new carpet in the house to reduce the burden of childhood pneumonia needs to be advocated.
Highlights
Pneumonia is one form of an acute lower respiratory infection that affects the lungs
According to a study conducted in the Ekiti State, Nigeria, the overall magnitude of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) among children below five years was 64.9% [7]
Other local studies conducted at different regions of Ethiopia at different times reported that the overall two-week prevalence of pneumonia among under-five children was 16.1% [9] and 33.5% [10]
Summary
Pneumonia is one form of an acute lower respiratory infection that affects the lungs It is the single most important infectious cause of death in children globally. According to a study conducted in the Ekiti State, Nigeria, the overall magnitude of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) among children below five years was 64.9% [7]. Acute respiratory infections in particular pneumonia constitutes the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years of age throughout the world. The presence of unpaved road within 100 m of the house (AOR = 2:27, 95% CI: 1.41-3.66), living within 100 m of heavy traffic (AOR = 1:94, 95% CI: 1.19-3.16), the habit of not opening doors while cooking (AOR = 1:62, 95% CI: 1.01-2.62), the presence of cockroach infestation (AOR = 1:98, 95% CI: 1.25-3.14), and new carpet in the house (AOR = 1:75, 95% CI: 1.01-3.03) were statistically significant variables associated with childhood pneumonia.
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