ENVIRONMENTAL RISK-FACTORS FOR ACUTE RESPIRATORY-INFECTIONS AMONG CHILDREN OF MILITARY PERSONNEL IN UGANDA

A community-based, cross-sectional survey was done in five Army camps in the central area of Uganda to explore relationships between environ mental household conditions and the presence or absence of acute respi ratory infections. A total sample of 122 homes with 152 children of bo th sexes were studied, Each child was medically examined and diagnosis recorded. A check-list was filled out for each household that had at least one child aged 5 years or lass; the list recorded conditions of crowding, roofing materials, house ventilation, cooking fuels and cook ing place, family income and immunization status, Cross-tabulation tab les were prepared and Chi-square values calculated for the various for ms of ARI and environmental characteristics. Significance level was pu t at 5% (p = <0.05). Using standard tables, significant associations w ere found between ARI diagnosed at the examination of a child and the following: number of persons per house (p = 0.01); bed sharing (p = 0. 027); house ventilation (p = <0.01) and; presence or absence of a smok e vent in a house (p = 0.002). Crowding and increased indoor air-pollu tion were rife In Ugandan Army camps and seem to have contributed to t he local incidence of ARI in children. It is recommended that health e ducation activities be started to promote improved environmental sanit ation and to reduce crowding. Simple smoke vents should be installed o ver fireplaces to reduce indoor air pollution, The use of gas or elect ricity as cleaner cooking fuels and making better constructed houses a re preferable strategies but both are not likely to be achieved at the moment.