RISK-FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL OF RESPIRATORY-DISEASES IN THE ECUADORIAN CHILDREN

Risk factors associated with the recall of a recent episode of acute r espiratory infection (ARI) were evaluated in 1,553 Ecuadorian preschoo l children enrolled into a cross-sectional health and nutrition survey . In a univariate analysis, ARI recall was significantly higher in chi ldren living in low altitude regions (Relative Risk, RR=2.4), in young er children (RR=1.6), in children from larger families (RR=1.3), in ch ildren with diarrhoea recall (RR=1.9), in children served with poor qu ality drinking water (RR=1.3) and in anaemic children (RR=1.2) than th at in the appropriate control groups, After taking into account the co nfounding effect of altitude, no association was found between ARI rec all and low height-for-age values, Stepwise logistic regression analys is identified living in low altitude regions, diarrhoea recall, and yo unger age as independent factors associated with a higher recall of AR I. In contrast to the recall of acute diarrhoea, no association betwee n ART recall and nutritional status was found, The impact of nutrition al interventions in children from developing countries may be greater on enteric than on respiratory diseases.