A Study on Demographic, Familial and Environmental ?Characteristicsofunder 5 Year-Old Children ?Suffering from ?Pneumonia

Background and Aims:? Pneumonia is the most common fatal childhood disease and the major cause of mortalityin acute respiratory infections, especially in developing countries. This study investigated the demographic, family and environmental factors ofless than 5 year old children suffering from pneumonia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 120 children less than five years old with pneumonia diagnosis while pediatric chest radiographs were used.Samplingwas done to extract mothers and children in Maragheh and Bonab hospitalsin 2013. Data collection was consist of demographic, familial and environmental factors affecting Pneumonia. The questionnaire was completed by interviewing mothersand using their records. Data were examinedusing? the SPSS of 19thversion. Results: Average of birth weight was (kg) 0/659 ± 2/956. Diseasewas widespread in females (64/2%)more than males (35/8%). 55/8% of patients were under one year old and one-third of the children were born prematurely. 39/2% of the patients had a family records of pneumonia. 36/7 percent of children were exposed to smoke inhalation. One third of mothers were under 25 years of their ages. 50% of mothers were educated at the elementary level. 38/3% of motherswere diagnosedto have maternal genital tract infections during pregnancy. Conclusion: A great attention should be paid on risk factors (delivery in low age, premature birth, low birth weight, history of respiratory infections in children, etc.) and on the other hand it is necessary to provide the familytraining to identify signs and symptoms of pneumonia as basic roles in children diseaseprevention.