The severity of pneumonia and its association with socio-demographic factors among children under five years old in Wasit governorate hospitals, Iraq

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is the leading infectious cause of death among children under five globally. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to determine socio-demographic factors associated with the severity of pneumonia among children under five in Wasit Governorate. METHODS: A cross-sectional study and convenience sampling (non-probability) were conducted among 477 children admitted to Wasit governorate hospitals. This sample was distributed throughout five hospitals selected using convenience sampling techniques, including AL-Zahra Hospital, AL-Numaniyah General Hospital, AL-Karama Teaching Hospital, Martyr Fairouz General Hospital, and AL-Kut Gynecology Hospital. It was conducted from October 1(st), 2022, to May 1(st), 2023. Through questionnaires, data were collected and analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: The results showed that the participants’ distribution according to pneumonia severity was such that the majority of children (81%) included in the study suffered from pneumonia. 14% of children suffered from very severe pneumonia, and 5% suffered from severe pneumonia. The children at risk of developing pneumonia were within the age group of 1-11 months (55.6%), were male (60.6%), and resided in urban areas (63.7%). Both the mother and the father had completed their primary education (50.9% and 47.4%, respectively), and 99.4% and 97.5% of the mothers were married and housewives. More than half of the fathers, 59.5%, were self-employed, and 25.6% suffered from house overcrowding. In addition, 65% had low socioeconomic status. There was a significant relationship between pneumonia severity and the father’s occupation and socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: This study concludes that pneumonia was the most common diagnosis at admission. Among the risk factors studied, low socioeconomic status and the father’s occupation were significant risk factors for pneumonia in children.