Determinants of Community-acquired Pneumonia Among Under-five Children at Selected Public Hospitals in Jigjiga Town, Ethiopia, 2024. A Facility-based Unmatched Case-control Study

Background An infection that develops outside of a medical facility in a child who was previously healthy is known as community-acquired pneumonia. Worldwide, pneumonia is the primary infectious cause of pediatric mortality, resulting in the death of 740,180 children under the age of five in 2019. Ethiopia is ranked sixth out of 15 countries with the most prevalent pneumonia-related mortality rate among children under the age of five. There must be strong evidence to support the early detection and management of the contributing factors to community-acquired pneumonia. Despite this, efforts to uncover pneumonia determinants in the research area have thus far been limited. Aim The purpose of this study is to assess the determinants of community-acquired pneumonia among under-five children obtaining healthcare at selected Public Hospitals in Jigjiga Town, Eastern Ethiopia,2024. Methods From December 2023 to June 2024, a facility-based unmatched case-control study was conducted out at various public hospitals in Jigjiga. The study had an overall sample of 348 children (116 cases and 232 controls). Cases were identified from health institutions using the consecutive sample technique, and controls were selected using simple random sampling technique. The outcome variable's predictors were determined using multivariable logistic regression and SPSS version 25 statistical software. A P-value of < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval was judged statistically significant. Results Having a history of diarrhea in the last 2 weeks [AOR = 3.560 (1.836,6.902)], Non-exclusive breast feeding [AOR = 3.113 (1.620,5.984)], lack of zinc supplementation [AOR = 2.363 (1.161,4.810)], family size [AOR = 3.390 (1.771,6.486)], and using charcoal as a source of cooking fuel [AOR = 2.581 (1.265,5.268)] were found to be determinants of community-acquired pneumonia. Conclusion The study investigated potential drivers of community-acquired pneumonia in children under the age of five, including sociodemographic variables, environmental risk factors, dietary threat causes, and vaccination risk factors. Specifically, the risk factors for community-acquired pneumonia were found as a history of diarrhea in the previous two weeks, a household size of more than five, the use of charcoal as a cooking fuel, breastfeeding during the first six months of life, and a lack of zinc supplements.