Identification of sociodemographic and risk factors contributing to Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTIS) among children: A community-based cross-sectional study
Abstract
Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (LRTI) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Several sociodemographic, environmental, and clinical factors contribute to the occurrence and recurrence of LRTIs in children. This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted to identify the sociodemographic and risk factors associated with LRTI among children in Eraviperoor Grama Panchayat, Thiruvalla, Kerala. A total of 200 children below 18 years of age were included in the study through caregiver interviews using a structured questionnaire.
Among the 200 children included in the study, 134 children (67%) had a history of LRTI. Pneumonia was identified as the most common type of LRTI followed by bronchitis and bronchiolitis. Several important risk factors were identified including premature birth, low birth weight, caesarean delivery, passive smoking, overcrowding, poor vaccination status, exposure to pets, family history of respiratory diseases, and inadequate breastfeeding practices. Environmental exposure and poor hygiene practices were also significantly associated with recurrent respiratory infections in children.
The study highlights the strong association between sociodemographic characteristics and modifiable risk factors with LRTI occurrence in children. Early identification of these factors and implementation of targeted preventive strategies including vaccination awareness, smoking…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 200 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Tobacco and COPD: presenting the World Health Organization (WHO) Tobacco Knowledge Summary
- Comparative effects of e-cigarette smoking on periodontal status, salivary pH, and cotinine levels
- Association between exposure to environmental pollutants and increased oral health risks, a comprehensive review
- Influence of gestational window on offspring vascular health in rodents with in utero exposure to electronic cigarettes
- Natural products as kinase inhibitors in lung cancer: molecular mechanisms, therapeutic potential, and clinical trials
- Nicotine in electronic cigarettes
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.