An Analysis of Factors for Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) in Children under Five of Age in Bangladesh: A Study on DHS, 2014

Abstract

Acute respiratory infection (ARI) in under-five children in developing countries is a major cause of child mortality. Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is associated with various risk factors and identifying these associated risk factors for ARI may, therefore, be helpful in reducing the disease burden. In Bangladesh, this study aimed to identify risk factors associated with ARI in children under the age of 5. The current study gathered ARI data from the Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey 2014. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was done in this study. Additionally, binary logistic regression is evaluated to resolve the relative risk of ARI below the age of 5 years. The findings of this study clearly revealed various risk factors associated with ARI. Age and sex of the children, wealth index, socio-economic status, the education of the mother and maternal age considered as an important risk factor. The major adverse effect of low maternal age on severe ARI risk in childhood underlines the need to raise marriage and childbearing age through both media awareness campaigns and legal avenues. Women's higher education would, directly and indirectly, reduce the likelihood of severe ARI by rising marriage age of women and women’s childbearing age.