Prevalence of acute respiratory infection in children less than 2 years in rural and urban population in and around Chennai, Tamil Nadu

[4] Not only in rural but also ARI is equally prevalent in urban areas; furthermore, the risk factors such as male gender, low birth weight, higher birth order, weaning at inappropriate age, poor nutritional status, mother's illiteracy, and low socioeconomic status make the children under 5 years to be prone to ARI. [...]it is mandatory to determine the ARI prevalence and associated risk factors periodically to update and take necessary measures to reduce the burden through control programs. [...]the data on the prevalence of ARI in children under 2 years are limited and this is the period children become more vulnerable to various infections, especially of the respiratory system. [...]this study was proposed to estimate the prevalence of ARI among under-two children and associated risk factors, leading to ARI in communities residing in urban and rural areas of Chennai, India. According to their area of residence, the majority of the risk factors identified in the study were found to be more in the rural areas than in urban areas.