MORBIDITY DUE TO ARI IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN RELATION TO COOKING FUEL, OCCUPATION AND FAMILY SIZE.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Indoor air pollution & occupation family size, have been known to play an important role in prevalence of ARI especially in developing countries like India. These factors alone contribute to 20-30% incidence of pneumonia in developing countries as opposed to 3-4% incidence in developed countries. MATERIAL & METHODS: A prospective one year longitudinal study was conducted among 3135 children of pre-school age group belonging to rural field practice area of 'Rama Medical College & research center'. They constituted 14.94% of the total population. RESULTS & DISCUSSION: All children under 5 years of ages were examined for sign and symptoms and severity of ARI and no of average episodes. For every 5 children studied, 4 suffered from ARI. Children from families where wood was used as cooking fuel suffered 3.33 average episodes in contrast to children from families where gas was used suffered 2.40 average episodes. Respiratory episodes were highest 4.19 average episode in families with maximum family members. Although bacteria and viruses are the immediate causes of most acute respiratory infections, malnutrition, air pollution, smoking, and overcrowding are the underlying drivers of vulnerability. CONCLUSION: It was therefore concluded that type of fuel & occupation and family size played a key role in determining severity of ARI. A reduction in these risk factors can strategically lower the prevalence of ARI among rural community.