Wheezing and Associated Risk Factors Among Children in Flood Prone Areas of a Central Nigerian Metropolis

Authors

  • Aleruchi Chuku Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Federal University of Lafia, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • Godwin Attah Obande Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Federal University of Lafia, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • Pedro Akharenegbe Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Federal University of Lafia, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • Peter Uteh Upla Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Federal University of Lafia, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • Mwanret Namang Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Federal University of Lafia, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v5i2.262

Keywords:

Wheeze, flood, age, antibiotic, risk, relative humidity

Abstract

Objectives: Our study investigated the prevalence of wheeze and its associated factors among children between the ages of 0 and 8 years in flood prone areas of Lafia local government area (LGA).

Study Design: The study was a cross-sectional study.

Materials and Methods: A total of 1,767 children resident in 300 households drawn from five council wards participated in the study. Questionnaires were used to obtain information relating to the children and their immediate environment. Relative humidity of each house was also measured. Wheezing in children was determined from interaction with their parents and confirmed through examination by trained health workers.

Results and Discussion: Mean relative humidity of the wards ranged from 52.5%rh to 76.3%rh with 66.8% of children living in houses with relative humidity of >60%rh. Findings revealed a prevalence of 13.0% (n = 230) in the study area. Ages 3-8 years accounted for 70% wheeze cases while 0-2 years accounted for 30%. Age (AOR = 1.560; 95% CI = 1.023 – 2.378), mud houses (AOR = 1.812; 95% CI = 1.080 – 3.040), use of antibiotics (AOR = 143.593; 95% CI = 81.582 – 252.741) and local herbal concoctions (AOR = 114.530; 95% CI = 12.522 – 1047.494) were significantly associated with wheezing in children.

Conclusion: The prevalence of wheeze in our study varied among children and was influenced by factors such as age, living in mud houses and recent or current use of antibiotics. This study advocates proper care and protection of children against factors that predispose them to wheezing.

International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 05 No. 02 April’21 Page: 213-221

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Published

2020-10-04

How to Cite

Chuku, A., Obande, G. A., Akharenegbe, P., Upla, P. U., & Namang, M. (2020). Wheezing and Associated Risk Factors Among Children in Flood Prone Areas of a Central Nigerian Metropolis. International Journal of Human and Health Sciences (IJHHS), 5(2), 213–221. https://doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v5i2.262

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2021)

Section

Original Articles

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