Abstract:
Abstract
Background: Pneumonia claims the lives of more children around the world than any other
infectious disease. Community-acquired pneumonia remains a leading cause of morbidity and
mortality.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine treatment outcome of community
acquired pneumonia among pediatric patients.
Method: A Cross sectional study was conducted from March 30, 2019 to June 30, 2019 and
included patients who were admitted to pediatrics wards from September 1, 2015 to March 30,
2019. The study included pediatric age groups between one month and fifteen years old. Study
Participants were selected based on the diagnosis of Community acquired pneumonia.
Systematic random sampling technique was used. All the statistical data were carried out using
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 20) and descriptive statistics were presented using
means with standard deviation and percentages. Binary logistic regression model was fitted to
measure the association between independent and dependent variables including duration of
signs and symptoms. 95% Confidence interval was used. Statistically significant at P < 0.05.
Results: A total of 385 patients with Community Acquired Pneumonia were included in this
study of whom 368(95.65%) were discharged and 17(4.4%) of patients were dead. Drug therapy
change (AOR 20.308(3.666-112.501), P = 0.001), Prescribing and taking of large number of
drugs (above 5 drugs) (AOR 0.067, CI (0.015-0.313), P= 0.001), Loss of appetite (AOR 38.641,
CI (5.454-273.769), P = 0.000), and Blood transfusion (AOR 10.514, CI (1.752-63.113), P =
0.01) have significant association with the treatment outcome of death.
Conclusion: Drug therapy change, taking large number of drugs, Loss of appetite and Blood
transfusion, were significantly associated with increased mortality of children with pneumonia.
Optimal duration of drug therapy and prescribing and providing of different classes of drugs can
prevent childhood mortality from community acquired pneumonia.
Key words: Community, Pneumonia, Treatment outcome, Pediatrics
