Original scientific paper
Risk Factors for Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in Children
Ivan Pavić
Marija Jurković
Zrinjka Paštar
Abstract
Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) are the most common cause of childhood morbidity and an important public
health problem. The aim of this study was to identify the significant risk factors for ARTI in children. The study took
place in Ivankovo which is a rural area of Eastern Slavonia and with small socio-economic differences. The study population
were 159 children who were 3–5 years old at the time of the study, and who were registrated at doctor’s office
Ivankovo. The study was conducted retrospectively through a questionnaire from January 2008 to December 2008. The
risk factors studied were the gender, breastfeeding history, any atopic manifestation in the form of atopic eczema, rhinoconjuctivitis
and/or asthma, the size of the family, parents smoking habits and main form of childcare. The number of
ARTI requiring the consultation of a doctor throughout 2007 were measured; and whether ARTI had been treated with
antibiotic or there were recommendation for symptomatic treatment only. Results of this research show that the risk factor
for consulting a doctor because of ARTI in children was passive exposure to cigarette-smoke. For receiving antibiotics
because of ARTI in children, the risk factors were passive exposure to cigarette-smoke and atopic manifestation. By giving
the available evidence, parents must be told that ceasing smoking offers a significant opportunity to reduce the risk of
ARTI in their children.
Keywords
children; acute respiratory infections; risk factors
Hrčak ID:
84848
URI
Publication date:
10.7.2012.
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