Mansoor Ali, Ramesh Kumar, Shahid Hussain, Siham Sikander, Muhammad Sidique Lohar, Maryam Mallick, Abdul Rehman Lakho, Rozina Khalid.
Environmental effects on acute respiratory infection in under five children living near brick kilns of rural Sindh, Pakistan.
Pak J Public Health Jan ;3(1):9-11.

Introduction: About 9.4% of the total population in the world are of children less than 5 years of age. Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is currently one of the leading public health problem that contributes around two million of deaths in children below 5 years of age globally. More than half respiratory infection in the children has been reported due to environmental conditions. Traditional kilns are a serious local health hazard to those living in areas nearby. The research regarding ill effects of brick kilns on under-5 children are scanty in Pakistan. The purpose of this study is to provide base line data regarding acute respiratory infections in under-5 children living near brick kilns. Methods: A comparative cross sectional study was conducted on 188 mothers under five years of age children in two villages located near and away from brick kilns at Taluka Sobhodero, Disst; Khairpur Sindh. Results: ARI prevalence in village located near the brick kilns was 25% as compared to 13% in village located away from kilns (P=0.03). ARI was reported in children of having passive smoking (57%) as compared to non-passive smoking (43%) (P=0.04). Also cases were reported more in children of illiterate mothers as compared to literate (94.3% v/s 5.7%, value 0.03). ARI was more prevalent in children of joint families than nuclear families (80% v/s 20% p value 0.01) and also in families using wood as a cooking fuel than other household fuels like LPG (100% v/s 0%, p value 0.02). Conclusion: Study concluded that children living near brick kilns are more at risk in developing the ARI as compare to those who are living away from this.

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