FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO INCREASED CASES OF PNEUMONIA AMONG CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE AT KASANGATI HEALTH CENTER IV WAKISO DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background: The purpose of the study was to provide the current information about the individual, community-based, and hospital-based factors contributing to the increased cases of pneumonia among children under 5 years at Kasangati Health Center in Wakiso district. The specific objectives of the study were; to identify the individual factors contributing to the increased cases of pneumonia among children under the age of 5 years; and to find out the community-based factors contributing to the increased cases of pneumonia among children under the age of 5 years; to determine the hospital-based factors contributing the increased cases of pneumonia among children the age of 5 years. Methodology: The study employed a cross-sectional study design with a simple random technique as the sampling technique. Data was collected on a sample size of 50 respondents using semi-structured questionnaires with closed and open-ended questions as a data collection tool. Data was later analyzed using tally sheets computed into frequency and percentages using the Microsoft Excel computer program with illustrated figures (bar graphs and pie charts) and tables for easier interpretation. Results: The overall results regarding the individual factors were (54%) of the respondent’s children being unvaccinated and (56%) of the respondent’s children using cup feeding. The study further revealed the community-based factors of (40%) of the respondents had poor aeration in their houses and (38%) of them still cooked indoors. The findings also showed the hospital-based factors as being (61%) of the children not being vaccinated. Conclusion: The researcher concluded that being unvaccinated and use of cup feeding were the individual factors, poor aeration, and cooking indoors were the community-based factors and not being immunized was the hospital-based factor. Recommendation: The researcher recommended that respondents should vaccinate their children, exclusively breastfeed them, have good aeration, cook outdoors, and immunize children under 5 years.

Keywords

• Pneumonia
• Vaccination
• Acquired System
• Body Mass Index