Risk Factors Associated with Pneumonia among under 5 Years Children at Banadir Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia

Aims: Pneumonia burden among children aged five years and below in Somalia remains one of big health problems. Higher risk factors of child Pneumonia in Somalia includes child stunting, child wasting and indoor air pollution. The main objective of this study was to investigate the risk factors associated with pneumonia among under 5 years children attending Banadir Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia. The specific objectives were to determine the prevalence of pneumonia among children aged under 5 years; to establish the socio-demographic factors, environmental factors and health facility related factors associated with Pneumonia among children aged under 5 years.

Study Design: The study adopted cross-sectional study design.

Place and Duration of Study: Banadir Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia in 2022.

Methodology: The study used a systematic random sampling technique to select 188 under 5 children with pneumonia. A structured questionnaire and interview guide were employed in collecting data. Qualitative data was analyzed using content technique. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The inferential statistics entailed the multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine the risk factors that predict pneumonia among the under 5 years children.

Results: The results indicated that the social demographic factors that were protective and decreased the odds of prevalence of pneumonia among under 5 years children were age of 4 - 5 years (Odds= 1.125, P=0.008<0.05); caretakers who had attended university (0.964;P=0.010<0.05); caretakers who earned 300-400$ (Odds=1.315; P=0.006<0.05); birth weight over 3kgs (Odds=2.422; P=0.014<0.05); permanent housing (Odds= 0.810; P=0.007<0.05). The environmental factors that were associated with high prevalence of pneumonia among under 5 years children were living in an environment without safe air quality (Odds= 1.402; P=0.033<0.05); and living in an environment where firewood is used for cooking (Odds=0.704;P=0.038<0.05). The health related factors that were protective and decreased the odds of prevalence of pneumonia among under 5 years children were pneumonia vaccination (Odds=0.948; P=0.008<0.05).

Conclusion: The study concluded that the risk factors for pneumonia among children aged under 5 years were age, level of education, income, birth weight, exclusive breast feeding, pneumonia vaccination, postnatal care, and history of acute respiratory tract infection. The study recommends that the health centres should equip the mothers and the caregivers with the basic knowledge regarding health and the hospitals to conduct post-natal training programs to the mothers and caregivers.