Predictors of Acute respiratory infection among children Under 5 years in Nigeria: imperative for clean, safe household energy practices

Abstract

Predictors of Acute respiratory infection among children Under 5 years in Nigeria: imperative for clean, safe household energy practicesBackground Globally, close to 4 million people die prematurely annually, from illnesses attributable to indoor air pollution (IAP) due to use of solid cooking fuels and kerosene while more than 50% of pneumonia deaths among Under 5 children are linked to IAP. However, in Nigeria, there is dearth of local studies on effect of IAP, despite the high prevalence of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI).Aim This study aims to determine the predictors of Acute respiratory infection among children Under-5 years exposed to smoke from solid cooking fuels in NigeriaMethods Secondary analysis of data from cross sectional studies from Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 2008, 2013 and 2018, was conducted. Data from 28,647 and 28,596 and 30,713 respondents over the three surveys were subjected to bivariate analyses and logistic regression.Results Younger age (0-11months), household use of solid fuel and cooking inside the dwelling were statistically associated with ARI; thus the predictors of ARI in the surveys were household use of solid fuels [AOR: 1.57 (95% C.I: 1.2,1.9), AOR: 4.75 (95% C.I: 2.2, 10.3), AOR: 5.30 (95% C.I: 1.8, 15.9)] and cooking inside the dwelling [AOR: 1.85 (95%.CI: 1.5,2.3), AOR: 1.39 (95% C.I: 1.15,1.67) and AOR: 1.12 (95C.I (0.99,1.2)]; in 2008, 2013 and 2018, respectively. Lastly, younger age (0-11months) was a predictor in 2018 [AOR: 1.6 (95% C.I: 1.4, 1.8) and 2013 AOR: 1.29 (95% C.I:1.04, 1.6)] only.Conclusion The use of solid fuels in households and cooking within the dwelling are predictors of the high prevalence of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) in Nigeria. Therefore, use of clean, safe household source of energy, sustainable source of cooking fuel, use of improved cooking stoves, improved air circulation in dwellings are hereby recommended.