PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA AMONG CHILDREN BELOW FIVE YEARS ATTENDING PEADIATRIC WARD AT BUSHENYI HEALTH CENTER IV, BUSHENYI DISTRICT

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Pneumonia is a life threateni;ig lower respiratory tract infection caused by a variety of microorganisms that include viruses, bacteria, or fungi. In Uganda, pneumonia, along with malaria and diarrhea, is a leading cause of death among children. STUDY OBJECTIVE: The main objective was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with pneumonia among Children below 5 years attending Pediatrics ward at Bushenyi Health Center IV between the months of April and May 2017 .. METHOD: A mixed cross-sectional hospital based study was conducted usmg a prepared questionnaire in English language to collect demographic data, socioeconomic and economic risk factors. RESULTS: Out of 135 participants, 27.4% of the participants had pneumonia and 72.6% had no pneumonia. Socioeconomic factors were as, 78.5% of the study participants were from rural areas while 21.5% were urban dwellers. 34.1 % of the Mothers and 31.1 % fathers had not completed primary school. 23.7% of fathers and only 5.9% of mothers were still learning higher level program. 28.1 % fathers to these children were farmers. Ownership of household properties were TVs (57%), Radios (75.6%), cattle (48.9%), poultry (72.6%), Bicycles (71.9%). Environmental factors were as; Charcoal and wood where 45%, 0.7% use crop wastes. 61.5% live in non cemented houses, 99.2% of living rooms have at least one window, and 80% are separated from the living room. 23.7% on their mothers' back while cooking and 6.7% report smoking of whom 4.4% smoker the house. CONCLUSION: The present study has identified a comparatively high prevalence of pneumonia in O -5 years old children. It also pointed out modifiable risk factors of pneumonia as socio-economical status of the people and public health activities such as use of improved stoves for cooking should be implemented. RECOMMENDATION: The study recommends that while improving the socio-economical status of the people through the poverty eradication programmes is welcome, this can take a long time to bear fruit and also Use of firewood should be discouraged but instead alternative affordable methods which produce less smoke be used