High proportion of pneumonia morbidity and risk factors in sick under-five children, northwest Ethiopia: a health facility based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Pneumonia is the leading infectious cause of death in children under five globally. Its prevalence varies by place and time depending on the level of implementation of protective and preventive strategies. Identifying the current burden of childhood pneumonia and its modifiable risk factors is important for health stakeholders to prioritize actions. This study aimed to assess the proportion of pneumonia morbidity and its determinants. A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1200 sick children under five years who visited health centers from March to July 2023 in the South Gondar zone, northwest Ethiopia. Two-stage random sampling was used. Data were collected through exit interviews with caregivers and clinical reassessment. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analyses were performed. The proportion of pneumonia morbidity was 28.3%. Behavioral factors such as daily opening of windows, use of a non-improved traditional stove, shortened exclusive breast-feeding, and using soap for hand washing were among the factors associated with pneumonia morbidity in children. The proportion of pneumonia morbidity remains high, with modifiable risk factors identified as significant contributors to childhood pneumonia. To address the high burden of childhood pneumonia in the region, health stakeholders should focus on strengthening community-level behavioral change communication efforts.