FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO PNEUMONIA AMONG CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS AT NAGURU HOSPITAL, NAKAWA DIVISION IN KAMPALA DISTRICT, A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Denis  Mutono; Mercy  Bantya; Jane Frank  Nalubega; Immaculate  Posperia Naggulu

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i6.1536

Authors

Denis Mutono Mildmay Uganda School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kampala-Uganda
Ms. Mercy Bantya Mildmay Uganda School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kampala-Uganda
Jane Frank Nalubega Mildmay Uganda School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kampala-Uganda
Immaculate Naggulu Posperia Mildmay Uganda School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kampala-Uganda

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i6.1536

Keywords:

Pneumonia, Naguru Hospital, Children Under 5 Years, Nakawa Division

Abstract

Background

Pneumonia accounts for 10% of deaths in children under five in Uganda, with at least 25 children dying from it every day. Since 2012, the Government of Uganda has been scaling up strategies to prevent and treat pneumonia among young children. However, national targets remain unmet. This study, therefore, aimed at determining the factors contributing to pneumonia among children under 5 years old at Naguru Hospital in Kampala district.

Methodology

A descriptive cross-sectional design involving the Questionnaire method of data collection was employed. A stratified random sampling method was used to select 100 respondents. The data was analyzed using SPSS and presented in tables, pie charts, and graphs using Microsoft Excel 2016.

Results

Most caregivers, 40 (40%), only attained primary education, while 13 (13%) had attained tertiary education. It was observed that 64 (64%) of the caregivers did not have a proper method of fecal disposal, and 48 (48%) were surrounded by smokers and other pollutants, passively affecting their under-five children. Socio-economic factors like poor ventilation, 70 (70%), and living in extended populations, 68 (68%) contributed to community-acquired pneumonia among the under-five children. Additionally, 50 (50%) of the respondents obtained income from casual labor, indicating low socio-economic status. 48 (48%) of the respondents had poor health-seeking behavior, a probable reason as to why 31% did not have access to health education.

Conclusion

The study concluded that environmental factors like poor waste disposal. There was poor health-seeking behavior among the caregivers concerning their under-five children. Poor ventilation and low income indicated a low socio-economic status among the caregivers, posing a great risk of pneumonia.

Recommendation

Ensure mass sensitization and health education of the community on hygiene and sanitary measures like proper toilet facilities to minimize the incidences of Pneumonia.

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