Pattern of Presentation and Risk Factors of Acute Respiratory Infections in Under-Five Years Old in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State

Abstract

This study was embarked upon to determine the pattern of an the risk factors associated with the development of Acute Respiratory infection (ARI) in children under five years in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State.
A total of 399 children enrolled for the study. These were draw from day care centers and nursery schools. The study lasted five months (January to May 1998). The method of assessment was by questionnaire and physical examination. 185 of the subjects were males and 214 female. This gave 1:1.2 male, female ratio. 70% of the subjects were between 3 and 5 years old.
The prevalence of Acute Respiratory Infection was 52.9% with peak prevalence in the age range 4 to 5 years. Cough was present in 61.1% of the subjects while coryza was the most frequent symptom with a prevalence of 95%.
The risk factors identified included contract with household members who had coughs, low socioeconomic status of the mother, mother\'s occupation and overcrowding at home.
The educational attainment of the mothers was not a risk factor. It is of note that none of the mothers smoked cigarette.


NQJHM Vol. 13 (3-4) 2003: pp. 24-26