Prevalence of Socio Environmental Factors in Patients Aged 12 to 60 Months Hospitalized for Community Acquired Pneumonia: An Ambispective Study

Abstract

Introduction According to the WHO, in recent decades childhood diseases related to unhealthy living conditions have increased.

Objective To describe the prevalence of socio-environmental factors associated with community-acquired pneumonia in patients aged 12 to 60 months hospitalized in a pediatric hospital between January and November 2024.

Material and methodosA descriptive, cross-sectional, ambispective observational study was conducted. The Health Information System (HIS)  database was reviewed, and telephone interviews were carried out. Variables included: demographic characteristics, history of prematurity and previous hospitalizations, vaccination status, comorbidities, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), socioeconomic status, exposure to smoke and tobacco, overcrowded housing, and residence near areas with high vehicular traffic. Data were analyzed using SPSS with descriptive statistics. The research ethics committee approved the protocol with informed consent.

Results
A total of 188 patients were included, with a mean age of 36 months, mostly from urban areas. A history of prematurity was present in 14.4%, and comorbidities in 11%. Overcrowded housing was observed in 70.6%; exposure to household and environmental smoke in 15.4% and 23.5%, respectively. Additionally, 60.7% lived ≤500 m from areas with high vehicular traffic, and 59% belonged to lower-middle/working-class socioeconomic strata. Complete PCV13 vaccination was documented in 58.5%, and 50% had exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months.

Conclusions
The prevalence of socio-environmental factors was very high and exceeded that of comorbidities. Domestic and environmental air pollution, tobacco exposure, and proximity to high-traffic areas were predominant. PCV13 vaccination coverage was notably low.