Household Environmental Factors and Childhood Acute Respiratory Infection in Bangladesh: Findings from National

Abstract

Background: Unsustainable household environmental factors influences the risk of under 5 morbidities. The prevalence of childhood acute respiratory infection (ARI) considerably high in Bangladesh. The objective of this study was to find out the associations of household environmental factors and ARI among child under 5 years in Bangladesh.

Methods: The data were obtained from a Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) at national level among children under 5 years in Bangladesh conducted by the UNICEF in 2012-2013. Women aged between 15 and 49 years living in selected households provided information on 20903 of their children under the age of 5 years. Primary outcome measure the morbidity status of children was recorded with respect to episodes of ARI in the 2 weeks preceding data collection. Data was analyzed by using SPSS and binary logistic regression was used as statistical test.

Results: The factors were positively associated with ARI: children aged 6-11months (OR= 1.86; 95% CI= 1.596-2.180; p<0.001). Children who were from Chittagong Divisions were more affected than Sylhet Division (OR=2.090; 95% CI=1.760-2.483; p<0.001) poor household (OR=1.5; 95%CI=1.273-1.807; p<0.001), one child in household (OR=1.2; 95%CI= 1.099-1.322; p<0.001).

Conclusion: Results from this research underline the importance and improvement of household environment regarding childhood morbidity in Bangladesh. Preventive measurements acquire more to lower the risk of ARI in very early age group of children. However, these strategies need to be integrated with health education in primary level raise the likelihood that reduced risks are acute respiratory infections.