Abstract:
Globally, pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children under the age of five
years. In Kenya, it is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality, accounting for
greater than 3'0,'0'0'0 deaths among children under the age of five years annually. This
study was conducted in order to determine risk factors for severe pneumonia.
A case control study was conducted at Kakamega Provincial General Hospital in
western Kenya. Children under the age five years with a diagnosis of pneumonia were
recruited into the study. Cases were children diagnosed with severe pneumonia whereas
controls were children with non-severe pneumonia. Case definitions were adapted from
the JntegJated Management of Childhood Illnesses' (IMCI) guidelines. Cases were
recruited by systematic random sampling whereas controls were recruited sequentially.
Structured questionnaires were administered to parents or guardians. Data was collected
on social and demographic factors of parents or guardians, nutritional status and
environmental risk factors at home. Bivariate analysis was done followed by stepwise
unconditional logistic regression to determine risk factors for severe pneumonia Odds
ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each exposure variable. Chi
s~:uare tests were used to test for statistical significance; the significance level was set at
p<0.05.
One hundred and three cases and 103 controls were recruited into the study. The median
age of cases was 14.0 (Range 3-58) months and controls 14.0 (Range 2-54) months.
Those who used herbal medication at home (OR=3.41; 95% CI, 1.45-8.05), were
hospitalized with diarrhea in the previous 6 months (OR=2.18; 95% CI 1.01-4.66), had a
co-mOlbidity (OR=3,10~ 95% CI 1.24-7.74), or had contact with a relative with upper
respiratory tract infection (OR=2.82; 95% CI 1.27-6.26) and those who sought medical
treatment after more than three days of illness (OR=2.86; 95% CI l.62-5.06) were more
likely to have severe pneumonia, Those who received antibiotics at home (OR=O.38, CI-
0.19-0.75) were less likely to have severe pneumonia. On unconditional logistic
regression, comorbidity (OR=3.8, CI-1.4-1O.6), delay in seeking medical treatment for
three days or more (OR=2.3, CI-L2-4.2) and contact with a relative with upper
respiratory tract infection (OR=2.7, CI-1.1-6.5) were independent risk factors for severe
pneumonia. Receiving antibiotics at home (OR=OA, CI-O.2-O.8) was an independent
protective factor-
Co-mmhidity and delay in seeking treatment were main risk factors for severe
pneumonia. The ministry of health should enhance efforts to ensure co-morbidity is
identified and treated promptly. Health education is necessary to sensitize parents on
timely health facility visits. Community health workers should be engaged in pneumonia
prevention and control activities especially health education and timely referral.
