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Subject Area

Anesthesiology and Intensive Care

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the frequency of upper respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children in primary healthcare and possible factors affecting their improvement. Background RTIs were considered the most common diagnoses among preschool children. Participants and methods A cohort retrospective study was conducted on 250 children aged from birth to 5 years old. By reviewing all the health records in the past 6 months, all the children diagnosed with RTIs were invited through their guardians to participate in the study. All the participants' were interviewed and their health records were revised using a checklist to gather their sociodemographic data, diagnosis, and management plan. Results The most affected age group was from 1 to 2 years (32.4%). Acute tonsillitis was the most frequent diagnosis (25.6%) followed by influenza (16.4%). Nearly 45.2% of all cases had received antibiotics. Almost 90% of the cases with RTIs were managed in primary care. Among patients who received antibiotics, 47.2% had improved in less than 7 days and 48.5% in more than 7 days, whereas 41.5% did not improve. Receiving health education and following up the patients were significant factors for improvement. Conclusion According to these findings, most of the RTIs in preschool children can be managed in primary healthcare (90%). There is a high incidence of antibiotic consumption, leading to increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

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