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The effects of social variables on symptom recognition and medical care seeking behaviour for acute respiratory infections in infants in urban Mongolia

Henderson, A. J.; Manaseki-Holland, Semira; Pollock, Jon; Gombojav, Narangerel

Authors

A. J. Henderson

Semira Manaseki-Holland

Jon Pollock Jon.Pollock@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor in Epidemiology

Narangerel Gombojav



Abstract

Objective: To investigate potentially modifiable factors associated with carers' recognition of symptoms and timely presentation of infants with acute respiratory infections (ARI) in urban Mongolia. Methods: A prospective cohort study nested in a randomised controlled trial of infant swaddling. Data were collected on social, educational and childcare variables and all doctor contacts for ARI in primary and secondary care by regular questionnaires to carers of infants during the first 6 months of life. Findings: Analyses were based on 9024 ARI related doctor contacts for 4554 illness episodes in 1218 infants. Delay in medical care seeking (>3 days from acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) symptom onset) was associated with younger maternal age (OR (95% CI) 3.8 (1.2 to 11.6)), single child families (3.8 (1.2 to 11.61)), absent father (4.1 (1.2 to 14.4)) and residence more than 1 km from a clinic (3.5 (1.2 to 10.2)). Conclusion: There is a continuing need to educate carers of infants in the management of ARI, particularly those of younger age and those with limited family support.

Citation

Henderson, A. J., Manaseki-Holland, S., Pollock, J., & Gombojav, N. (2009). The effects of social variables on symptom recognition and medical care seeking behaviour for acute respiratory infections in infants in urban Mongolia. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 94(11), 849-854. https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.2008.157115

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Nov 1, 2009
Deposit Date Jan 21, 2010
Journal Archives of Disease in Childhood
Print ISSN 0003-9888
Electronic ISSN 1468-2044
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 94
Issue 11
Pages 849-854
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.2008.157115
Keywords socio-educational factors, child care, symptom recognition, infants, Mongolia, care-seeking behaviour, ARI, acute respiratory infections
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/995631
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/adc.2008.157115