Background:
Based on data from a nationally representative sample of indigenous villages in Brazilian indigenous reserves, the study sought to estimate the prevalence of
pneumonia and evaluate associated factors among indigenous children under 5 years of age.
Methods:
Sociodemographic, clinical and reported data on child respiratory health fromthe First National Survey of Indigenous People's Health and Nutrition in Brazil were collected for 6128 children. Prevalence of
pneumonia was calculated for independent variables and hierarchical multivariate analyseswere performed to assess associations.
Results:
The overall prevalence proportions of cough, nasal congestion,
pneumonia, and
pneumonia with fever were 44.4%, 31.0%, 2.63%, and 1.28%, respectively. In the multivariate model, pneumoniawas more frequent among children living in the South/Southeast and North regions of Brazil. Children living in larger households or houseswith wood or thatch roofing, aswell those with lowbirthweight or stunting, presented higher risk of
pneumonia. Pneumoniawas less prevalent among children living in houses with wood flooring and those presenting low weight-for-age.
Conclusions:
The study results demonstrate that
pneumonia is an important cause of illness among indigenous children throughout Brazil. The association between
pneumonia and household characteristics suggests that indoor home environment is closely related to the respiratory health of indigenous children.
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