Factors associated with acute respiratory infection in children between two and five years of age

Raraz-Vidal J.; Torres-Salome F.; Raraz-Vidal O. · Revista Cubana de Investigaciones Biomedicas (2024)

Resumen

Introduction: Worldwide, common colds, defined as acute upper and lower respiratory tract infections, cause 20% of mortality among children under five years of age. Objective: To determine the factors associated with acute upper respiratory infection in children over two and under five years of age. Methods: A descriptive, analytical, case-control study was carried out in children under five years of age, attended at the health center of the district of Jacas Grande, Huánuco. A total of 120 medical records were randomly selected (60 cases and 60 controls). A validated collection form was used; and bivariate analysis and logistic regression were used to estimate the associated factors. Results: Children had more cases of acute upper respiratory infection; this was significantly related to the following variables: maternal age < 25 years (OR = 2.8; 95 % CI: 1.28-6.08); male gender (OR = 3.54; 95 % CI: 1.65-7.57); agricultural mother (OR = 1.68; 95 % CI: 1.42-3.57); less than three children (OR = 1.85; 95 % CI: 1.75-3.79); educational level of the mother (OR = 3.95; 95 % CI: 1.2-13.11) and marital status of cohabiting mother (OR = 1.30; 95 % CI: 1.08-2.06). In the logistic regression model, the variables independently associated were mother's age (OR = 1.07; 95 % CI: 1.01-1.15); child's gender (OR = 0.22; 95 % CI: 0.09-0.50); number of children (OR = 0.65; 95 % CI: 0.47-0.87); and parent's educational level (OR = 1.46; 95 % CI: 1.02-2.08). Conclusions: Factors associated with acute upper respiratory infection in children older than 2 years and younger than 5 years were gender, mother's age, mother's education level and number of children.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán