The burden, social and economic consequences of Childhood Pneumonia in North Karnataka- A cross-sectional study

Authors

  • Dattatraya D Bant1 , Tewe U Kapfo2

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijphrd.v11i9.10977

Keywords:

Pneumonia, children, economic burden, childhood mortality.

Abstract

Background : Pneumonia is the prominent cause of childhood mortality. The disease accounts for 18 per
cent deaths in children < 5 years. Pneumonia kills more children than any other illness, more than measles,
malaria and AIDS combined. Caring for children with pneumonia is a daunting task in resource-poor
countries where caregivers are required to pay for treatment ‘out of pocket’ at the point of care.
Objectives: To assess the burden, social and economic consequences of childhood pneumonia and to
determine the risk factors associated with it.
Methods : A cross sectional study was conducted among the 15 children admitted in Paediatrics Department
of KIMS Hubli, with clinical evidence of pneumonia infections using a pretested, semi-structured
questionnaire.
Results: The incidence of childhood pneumonia was more among males (87%) and in rural population
(54%). 53% were in the aged group of 1 and 5yrs. Overcrowding was present in 74%, indoor pollution in
80% and outdoor pollution in 33%. 13% had to cancelled social gatherings and 54% had other impacts on
their socialisation. 53% have taken external financial help for the treatment of pneumonia.
Conclusion: Treatment of childhood pneumonia requires relatively more care and consequently more
resources to manage. The high costs of treatment puts a heavy financial burden on the family that necessitate
the need for preventive care interventions which could lead to a reduction in the number of disease cases and
decreased socio economic burden on the families

Author Biography

  • Dattatraya D Bant1 , Tewe U Kapfo2

    1HOD and Professor, 2Post Graduate, Department of Community Medicine, Karnataka Institute of Medical
    Sciences, Hubballi, Karnataka

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Published

2020-09-11

How to Cite

The burden, social and economic consequences of Childhood Pneumonia in North Karnataka- A cross-sectional study. (2020). Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, 11(9), 18-23. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijphrd.v11i9.10977