The prevalence and risk factors for acute respiratory infections in children aged 0‐59 months in rural Malawi: A cross‐sectional study

BACKGROUND Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) are a leading cause of childhood mortality and morbidity. Malawi has high childhood mortality but limited data on the prevalence of disease in the community. METHODS A cross-sectional study of children aged 0-59 months. Health passports were examined for ARI diagnoses in the preceding 12 months. Children were physically examined for malnutrition or current ARI. RESULTS 828 children participated. The annual prevalence of ARI was 32.6% (95% CI 29.3-36.0%). Having a sibling with ARI (OR 1.44, P = .01), increasing household density (OR 2.17, P = .02) and acute malnutrition (OR 1.69, P = .01) were predictors of infection in the last year. The point prevalence of ARI was 8.3% (95% CI 6.8-10.4%). Risk factors for current ARI were acute-on-chronic malnutrition (OR 3.06, P = .02), increasing household density (OR1.19, P = .05) and having a sibling with ARI (OR 2.30, P = .02). CONCLUSION This study provides novel data on the high prevalence of ARI in Malawi. This baseline data can be used in the monitoring and planning of future interventions in this population.