Abstract:
Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality
among children aged below five years globally. Although their impact on public health is
well established, actual burden of these infections among children aged below five years is not well elucidated. This study aimed to determine factors associated with occurrence of
acute respiratory tract infections among children aged below five years in Kinango Sub County, Kwale County, Kenya. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Study
participants were children aged below five years presenting for care at Kinango Sub-County
hospital. Systematic sampling was used to select study participants. Data was collected
using a structured questionnaire and focus group discussions were held to collect additional
data. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis,
while thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. A total of 385 children
participated in this study. Majority of the children; (61.6%) were aged below two years, and
49.9% of them were male. The prevalence of ARIS was 59.2% (95% CI 54.5-64.3). Female
gender [aOR 3.39 (1.21-9.46)], stunting [aOR 3.62 (1.04-12.61)], high parity [aOR 11.45
(2.38-55.09)], low maternal education [aOR 3.54 (1.10-11.32)], and recent hospitalization
[aOR 8.19 (1.75-38.43)] increased the odds of infection, and normal birth weight [aOR 0.06
(0.01-0.62)] lowered the odds of infection. knowledge on causes of ARIs (p=0.026) and
attitude towards signs and symptoms of ARIs were significantly associated with ARIs
(P=0.024). Of the practices regarding ARIs, completing immunization was significantly
associated with occurrence of ARIs (p=0.003). High prevalence of ARIs observed in this
study can negatively affect health of children in this area, with negative impact on their
growth and development and future health.
