Browsing by Author "Adongakulu, Emma Bongani"

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    Prevalence and factors associated with community acquired pneumonia among under-fives admitted at Kiryandongo General Hospital
    (Kampala International University, School of Health Sciences, 2019-04) Adongakulu, Emma Bongani
    Background: Pneumonia is the leading cause of mortality in children under five years. Many predisposing factors do exist and can be avoided to reduce its prevalence in Uganda, and Kiryandongo where data is scarce concerning this subject. Method: a descriptive questionnaire-based cross-sectional study that involved a total of 220 under-fives admitted at Kiryandongo General Hospital that set out to determine the prevalence and factors associated with community-acquired pneumonia was conducted. Results: The prevalence of community-acquired pneumonia was 15.91% with child’s sex, immunization history, breastfeeding history and residence being found statistically significant whereas child’s age insignificant. Other factors were exposure to pollutants, exposure to cold, malnutrition and HIV/AIDS coinfection. Conclusion: The prevalence of pneumonia among under-fives admitted at Kiryandongo Hospital was high at 15.9i%. This calls for urgent intervention. Numerous factors were established as predisposing these children to pneumonia such as early weaning, less adherence to immunization schedule as well as exposure to pollutants and going to crowded places like markets. Avoidance of these factors as well as educating caretakers about pneumonia, importance of immunization completion and adherence to exclusive breastfeeding practices will go a long way in drastically reducing prevalence.