Risk factors for acute respiratory infection in children younger than five years in Bangladesh

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are one of the major causes of child morbidity and mortality in the developing world. There is a lack of information regarding ARIs in children in Bangladesh. The study aims to determine the potential risk factors that are associated with ARIs among children younger than 5 years in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study design was used. Data were retrieved from the 2014 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, which provides data for monitoring indicators in population, health and nutrition. In total, 7032 children (weighted) younger than 5 years were eligible for our analysis. Children with a cough and chest-related short, rapid breathing in the 2 weeks before the survey were considered having an ARI. A binary logistic regression model was used to determine the significant risk factors. The prevalence of ARI was 5.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.7–6.0) in the sample population. Infants aged 0–11 months (odds ratio [OR] = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.92–4.28), toddlers aged 12–23 months (OR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.21–3.38) and children aged 24–35 months (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.11–2.50) had a greater risk of ARI than older children. Children of lower economic (OR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.27–3.27) and middle economic (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.06–2.64) families were also at a higher risk of ARI. Girls (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.56–0.99) had a lower risk of ARI compared with boys. In addition, stunting or slow growth rate in children (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.02–1.97) was significantly associated with ARI. Young children, boys and stunted children are at greater risk of ARI. Educating mothers on the nutritional needs of children and subsequently reducing stunting due to malnutrition would help in the effort to reduce child morbidity and mortality caused by ARI. •Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is a major cause of child mortality in Bangladesh.•Young children (e.g. infants) are at greater risk of ARI than older children.•Boys and stunted children are at higher risk of ARI than girls and healthy children.•Based on our study, mother's education has no longer significant effect on childhood ARI in Bangladesh.