title: Prevalence of acute respiratory infection among under-five children in urban and rural areas of puducherry, India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incidence of Acute respiratory infections (ARI) is high among under-five children, especially in developing countries. However, the data on ARI from rural and urban areas in India are scarce.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the prevalence of ARI and selected associated factors among under-five children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in urban and rural areas of Puducherry, India. Data were collected from 509 parents of under-five children regarding ARI incidence along with socio-demographic and selected associated factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall prevalence of ARI was observed to be 59.1%, with prevalence in urban and rural areas being 63.7% and 53.7%, respectively. Bivariate analysis indicated that overcrowding, place of residence, and mother's education were significantly associated with ARI. Multiple logistic regression analysis suggested that presence of overcrowding (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.492), urban residence (AOR = 2.329), and second birth order (AOR = 0.371) were significant predictors of ARI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of ARI is high, particularly in urban areas. Improvement of living conditions may help in reduction of burden of ARI in the community.
authors: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research JIPMER, Puducherry, India.
authors: S Ganesh
authors: SG
authors: Kumar
authors: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research JIPMER, Puducherry, India.
authors: Anindo
authors: A
authors: Majumdar
authors: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research JIPMER, Puducherry, India.
authors: Veera
authors: V
authors: Kumar
authors: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research JIPMER, Puducherry, India.
authors: Bijay Nanda
authors: BN
authors: Naik
authors: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research JIPMER, Puducherry, India.
authors: Kalaiselvi
authors: K
authors: Selvaraj
authors: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research JIPMER, Puducherry, India.
authors: Karthik
authors: K
authors: Balajee
keywords: ARI; respiratory disease; rural; under-5 years old children; urban