Epidemiology of Atypical Pneumonia Among Children Roles of Public Health in Prevention Measures

Abstract

Pneumonia continues to be a prominent public health problem among children under the age of five in the study region, with rates that are higher than the norms for the nation. Predictors of pneumonia included the use of domestic fuel as the source of energy for cooking, cooking in the living room, overcrowding, a history of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in the child, a history of ARI in the family, and acute malnutrition. Community-based initiatives that emphasize on improving housing conditions, reducing the use of household biofuels, ensuring appropriate and balanced food intake, while also ensuring that infants are exclusively breastfed, and providing early treatment for acute respiratory infections (ARIs). There is a significant responsibility for the public health sector to play in raising awareness among the general community about the preventative actions that could lead to a reduction in the number of cases of pneumonia in children.