Risk factors for pneumonia among hospitalized children between 2 months to 5 years

Objectives: to identify modifiable risk factors for pneumonia for hospitalized children between 2 months to five years. patients and methods: this was a hospital based case control study,conducted at the department of pediatrics,khyber teaching hospital peshawar from february 2007 to january 2008. this study comprised of 100 cases and 200 controls between the age of 2 months and 5 years. self constructed questionnaire including the variables under study was used. for data analysis chi square,extended mental haenszel chi square analysis and logistic regression analysis was used. results: young age,inappropriate immunization upto 12 months of age,rickets,malnutrition,acute history of urti in family members and use of fuel other than cooking gas were statistically significant risk factors,while sex,lack or partial breast feeding and parent's level of education were not statistically significant. conclusion: this study has identified various risk factors for children between 2 months to 5 years,which can be addressed by appropriate health education messages and thus may help in reducing the disease burden due to pneumonia.