Assessment of Acute Respiratory Infection and Common Medication Use in Children below Five Years in Sulaimani, Kurdistan, Iraq

Abstract

In children under 5 years of age, acute respiratory infections (ARIs) represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, potentially leading to severe outcomes such as hearing loss and developmental delays. This study aims to assess the prevalence of frequent medication use and identify epidemiological risk factors associated with ARIs in this age group. The research was conducted at Dr. Jamal Pediatric Hospital in Sulaimani city, employing a cross-sectional descriptive approach that included a sample of 42 patients, from June 11th to July 1st, 2024. Data collection involved interviewing mothers and reviewing their children’s medical records. The findings indicated that 45.2% of the children were under 1-year-old, 52.3% resided in metropolitan areas, and 66.7% were male. Notably, 47.6% of the children had received only partial vaccinations, 42.8% consumed bottle milk, and 66.7% experienced recurring illnesses. The majority of illnesses lasted between 1 and 5 days (83.3%). The medications administered included amoxicillin (26.2%), acetaminophen (54.8%), ventolin nebulizer (52.4%), dexamethasone (88%), and antihistamines (4.8%). Regarding parental education, 40.4% of mothers were illiterate, and 76.1% were unemployed. In contrast, 42.9% of fathers had completed elementary school. In addition, 73.9% of families reported insufficient financial resources. Smoking prevalence was high among fathers (71.4%) and lower among mothers (26.1%). Moreover, 12% of fathers had previously smoked, and 28.5% of mothers had been exposed to secondhand smoke. The majority of families (52.3%) were nuclear, with 66.7% consisting of three or more members. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 24. The study concluded that significant risk factors for ARIs include male gender, incomplete immunization, exposure to smoking, low parental education and economic status, and inadequate diet. Public health initiatives should focus on improving nutrition, educating parents, reducing smoking exposure, and ensuring complete immunization to effectively decrease the prevalence of ARIs.

Keywords

• epidemiology
• acute respiratory infection
• medication
• key word: epidemiology, risk factors, acute respiratory infection, medication, children below five.