RISK FACTORS OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTION AMONG UNDER FIVE CHILDREN IN RURAL COMMUNITY OF NORTH DELHI

Introduction: Children are mankinds seeds for the future and God given gift or hope. They deserve the almost care from us. Children are as a clay material. Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is a serious public health issue especially in developing nations like India where the majority of people are impoverished, live in slums and exposed to deadly diseases. Children under the age of five are particularly vulnerable to infection at an early stage. So, for the maintenance of best healthy status of children and identification of risk factors of acute respiratory infection among under five children is essential. Aim:To explore risk factors of acute respiratory infection among under five children in rural community of NorthDelhi region Methodology:An exploratory research design was adopted for this study. A total 430 one to five years age of children were selected with the help of consecutive sampling technique in randomly selected villages of North Delhi region. Semi structured interview schedulewas used for data collection. Results: The prevalence of acute respiratory infection was 35% (150 out of 430 children). It was identified that preterm delivery, Low birth weight, birth order of children, overcrowding in the house, indoor smoking, smoky fuel used for cooking, house location near by dusty main road, open drainage system, Family history of respiratory infection leading to cause of occurrence of ARI among children. Conclusion: Multivariate factors are responsible for acute respiratory infection among children which can be modified to prevent morbidity and mortality rate of under five children due to acute respiratory infection.