Abstract
BACKGROUND: Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) are a leading cause of childhood mortality and morbidity. Malawi has high childhood mortality but limited data on the prevalence of disease in the community.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study of children aged 0-59 months. Health passports were examined for ARI diagnoses in the preceding 12 months. Children were physically examined for malnutrition or current ARI.
RESULTS: 828 children participated. The annual prevalence of ARI was 32.6% (95% CI 29.3-36.0%). Having a sibling with ARI (OR 1.44, P = .01), increasing household density (OR 2.17, P = .02) and acute malnutrition (OR 1.69, P = .01) were predictors of infection in the last year. The point prevalence of ARI was 8.3% (95% CI 6.8-10.4%). Risk factors for current ARI were acute-on-chronic malnutrition (OR 3.06, P = .02), increasing household density (OR1.19, P = .05) and having a sibling with ARI (OR 2.30, P = .02).
CONCLUSION: This study provides novel data on the high prevalence of ARI in Malawi. This baseline data can be used in the monitoring and planning of future interventions in this population.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 489-496 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Influenza and other respiratory viruses |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Early online date | 21 Sept 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 28 Nov 2017 |
Keywords
- Journal Article
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