Risk factors of acute respiratory infection among hospital listed children in Basrah: the results of a case control study

ABSTRACT

A case control study was carried out to investigate the role of selected presumed risk factors in the occurrence of acute respiratory infection [ARI] among hospitalised children below five years in Basrah City, south of Iraq. Controls were children of similar age range attending for routine immunization schedule. The main factors which were found to be associated with significant risk of ARI were parental illiteracy, presence of a sibling with ARI during the month prior to admission of the child, admission of a sibling below five years, use of kerosene for cooking and mother's employment. Father's smoking, crowding and use of kerosene for heating were not to be significantly associated with ARI among children