Prevalence of Acute Respiratory Infection and Associated Household Environmental Factors among under-five Children in Rural Southern Nigeria
Sukuba Abbiyesuku *
Department of Public Health Science, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Amaka Azubuike Ogba
Department of Public Health Science, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Merit Chioma Chinda
Department of Public Health Science, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Clement Kelvin Edet
Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Anthony, Ike Wegbom
Department of Public Health and Health Information Management, Federal University of Environment and Technology, Ogoni, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Ezekwe, Ahamaefula Sunday
Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Acute respiratory infection (ARI) remains a major cause of childhood morbidity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where household air pollution, inadequate housing and other environmental conditions may increase children's vulnerability. In rural communities, exposure to solid cooking fuels and poor housing materials may contribute to respiratory health risks. This study assessed ARI prevalence and associated household environmental factors among under-five children in rural Southern Nigeria using data from the 2023–2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). A cross-sectional analytical design was adopted, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and survey-adjusted regression. Most children were aged 48–59 months (21.33%), male (50.22%), and had mothers aged 25–34 years (52.26%) with secondary education (63.72%). Most lived in households with 5–8 members (53.27%), male-headed households (73.99%), and middle-wealth households (31.91%). The South East accounted for the largest proportion of participants (56.09%). The overall ARI prevalence was 3.03%, with the highest prevalence among children aged 0–11 months (4.32%) and the lowest among those aged 36–47 months (1.39%). Adjusted analysis identified solid cooking-fuel use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.67; 95% CI: 1.36–16.07) and non-durable roofing materials (AOR = 32.21; 95% CI: 5.51–68.39) as household environmental factors associated with higher odds of ARI. Conversely, household size of 5–8 members was associated with lower odds (AOR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.12–0.96). These findings highlighted the importance of cleaner cooking fuels and improved roofing materials in addressing ARI among under-five children in rural Southern Nigeria.
Keywords: Acute respiratory infection, under-five children, household air pollution, solid cooking fuels, roofing materials, rural communities, environmental health