A cross-sectional study on prevalence of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTIs) among children

Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTIs) remain a major public health concern and are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children worldwide, particularly in developing countries. LRTIs include conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and wheezing-associated lower respiratory infections, which significantly affect the respiratory health and quality of life of children. This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Eraviperoor Grama Panchayat, Thiruvalla, Kerala, with the primary objective of assessing the prevalence of LRTIs among children and identifying associated sociodemographic and environmental risk factors.
A total of 200 children below 18 years of age were enrolled in the study using a structured questionnaire administered to caregivers. Among the participants, 134 children (67%) had a history of LRTI. Pneumonia was identified as the most common type of LRTI affecting 75 children (56%), followed by bronchitis (22%), bronchiolitis (15%), and wheezing-associated lower respiratory infection (7%). The highest prevalence was observed among children aged 3–6 years. Several risk factors were associated with recurrent LRTIs, including premature birth, low birth weight, passive smoking exposure, overcrowding, pet exposure, and poor influenza vaccination coverage.
The study also assessed caregiver awareness regarding LRTIs and provided educational counselling to improve knowledge related to symptoms, causes, preventive measures, and treatment-seeking behavior. Following counselling, improvement in awareness regarding hand hygiene, vaccination, and early identification of symptoms was observed among caregivers.
The findings highlight the substantial burden of LRTIs among children and emphasize the importance of early prevention strategies, caregiver education, vaccination awareness, and reduction of environmental risk factors to minimize disease burden and improve respiratory health outcomes in children.