Risk factors for childhood pneumonia at Adama Hospital Medical College, Adama, Ethiopia: a case-control study

Abstract

Background Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection of the lungs. A child dies of pneumonia every 39 s globally. Even though pneumonia affects children worldwide, the risk and repercussions of the disease are more prevalent in poor and middle-income nations. Despite the initiatives by the Ethiopian government, there are still numerous instances and deaths caused by childhood pneumonia. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the risk factors for pneumonia among 2–59 months-old children visiting Adama Hospital Medical College, Adama, Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based unmatched case-control study was conducted among 124 cases and 124 controls from January 1, 2021, to March 15, 2021. Cases were selected using a consecutive sampling technique. For each case, the next patient from the same pediatric outpatient room who met the inclusion criteria was taken as a control. Data were collected using a pretested, structured interviewer-administered questionnaire containing sociodemographic, environmental, and nutritional factors, comorbid illnesses, and related care practices. A multiple logistic regression model was fitted. Results Family size of ≥ 5 compared to < 5 (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 3.08, 95% CI: 1.23, 7.71), household monthly income of < 2500 compared to > 5000 birr (AOR: 3.94, 95% CI: 1.06, 14.6), use of charcoal as the main fuel for cooking (AOR: 7.03, 95% CI: 2.38, 20.78), and wood or dung as the main fuel for cooking compared to electricity (AOR: 6.58, 95% CI: 2.07, 20.9), malnutrition compared to no malnutrition (AOR: 4.77, 95% CI: 1.89, 12.06), diarrhea compared to no diarrhea in the past 2 weeks (AOR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.52, 7.14) and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) compared to no infection in the past 2 weeks (AOR: 3.29, 95% CI: 1.31, 8.23) were found to be risk factors for pneumonia. Conclusion In this study, risk factors for pneumonia were family size, monthly income, type of energy used for cooking, malnutrition, and diarrhea or URTI in the past 2 weeks. Relatively simple interventions such as cooking with electricity, and other interventions like prevention, early detection and treatment of malnutrition, diarrhea, and URTI, and promotion of family planning are important.

Determinants of under‐five pneumonia in randomly selected health facilities at Aleta Wondo Woreda, Sidama Region Ethiopia: Case–control study

“…Children from families with household income ≥ 1500 Ethiopian birr 54% less (AOR = 0.45, 95% CI, 0.017–0.120, p < 0.000) are less likely to develop pneumonia when compared with families with monthly income below 1500 Ethiopian birr. This is supported by evidence from a case–control study conducted at Adama Hospital Medical College that showed children from households with low monthly incomes were more likely to develop pneumonia 27 . Another study among under‐five children in Ethiopia also showed that poverty is significantly associated with common childhood illnesses 26 …”

“…This is supported by evidence from a case–control study conducted at Adama Hospital Medical College that showed children from households with low monthly incomes were more likely to develop pneumonia. 27 Another study among under‐five children in Ethiopia also showed that poverty is significantly associated with common childhood illnesses. 26 …”

The severity of pneumonia and its association with socio-demographic factors among children under five years old in Wasit governorate hospitals, Iraq

“…Contradictory results were obtained in a case-control study in Adama, Ethiopia, which reported children with pneumonia whose fathers were farmers. 37 Another study in Este town and the surrounding rural kebeles in northwest Ethiopia showed that nearly three-quarters of parents were farmers who had children with pneumonia. 38 Certain occupations, such as housewives or self-employed, may be associated with lower socioeconomic status; besides, self-employed and housewives’ parents may not have access to paid sick leave or health insurance, which may lead to a delay in seeking healthcare and receiving proper treatment, poor housing conditions, and limited access to adequate nutrition.…”

Association between indoor environmental risk factors and pneumonia among preschool children in Urumqi：A case-control study

“…Research by Verani et al [ 14 ] indicates that household crowding is a significant risk factor for pneumonia in well-nourished children, underscoring the role of the home environment and social interaction in the risk of pediatric pneumonia. Additionally, the lack of social interaction may be a contributing factor to the increased risk of pneumonia in only children, as suggested by research from Abebaw et al [ 15 ], which found that children from larger families had a lower risk of pneumonia, possibly due to more social interaction and microbial exposure.…”