Determinants associated with community-acquired pneumonia in pediatric patients treated at Luis Gabriel Dávila Hospital
Keywords:
DETERMINANTES SOCIALES DE LA SALUD; FACTORES SOCIOECONÓMICOS; INFECCIONES DEL SISTEMA RESPIRATORIO; NEUMONÍA ADQUIRIDA EN LA COMUNIDAD; SALUD INFANTIL.; SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH; SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS; RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS; COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA; CHILD HEALTH.; DETERMINANTES SOCIAIS DA SAÚDE; FATORES SOCIOECONÔMICOS; INFECÇÕES RESPIRATÓRIAS; PNEUMONIA ADQUIRIDA NA COMUNIDADE; SAÚDE DA CRIANÇA.Abstract
Introduction: community-acquired pneumonia represents one of the main causes of childhood morbidity, with multiple factors influencing its incidence and severity.
Objective: to identify the biological, social, economic, and environmental determinants associated with the presence of community-acquired pneumonia in pediatric patients treated at Luis Gabriel Dávila Hospital.
Methods: an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in Tulcán, Ecuador, during 2025. The population included 55 pediatric patients up to seven years of age diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia, selected through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Information was obtained through documentary analysis of hospital records and structured questionnaires administered to the patients’ guardians. Data were processed using descriptive statistics in SPSS, adhering to bioethical principles.
Results: a higher frequency of pneumonia was observed in children under two years of age, with a predominance of males (55 %). Among social determinants, household overcrowding (61,8 %), low parental educational level (52,7 %), and lack of regular medical check-ups (47,3 %) were highlighted. In the economic domain, low socioeconomic status (70,9 %) and difficulty in obtaining medications (56,4 %) predominated. The most frequent environmental determinants were indoor pollution (58,2 %) and poor household ventilation (52,7 %). Biologically, recurrent respiratory infections (60 %) and incomplete vaccination schedules (49,1 %) were most relevant.
Conclusions: the interaction of multiple socioeconomic, environmental, and biological determinants was identified, evidencing the need to implement comprehensive strategies for prevention, health education, and improvement of living conditions aimed at reducing the incidence and complications of this disease.
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