Epidemiology and clinical characterization of acute respiratory infections in pediatric patients under 3 years of age from the Maká ethnic group

Abstract

Introduction: The health of Indigenous peoples is affected by poor living conditions, low-income levels, as well as access to food, water, and sanitation services. There is a shortage of data on respiratory diseases in Indigenous child populations. Objective: The aim is to provide information on the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the Maká pediatric population under 3 years of age who present acute respiratory infections (ARI). Methodology: A retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional observational study, including 38 pediatric patients under 3 years of age of the Maká ethnic group, who attended the Mariano Roque Alonso Maternal and Child District Hospital, Central department, from April to October 2023, diagnosed with ARI. Results: 50% of the population was between 1 and 5 months old, 66% was male. Regarding the characteristics of ARI, a higher diagnosis of bronchiolitis and obstructive bronchial syndrome was observed in the ages of 1 to 5 months mainly. A higher frequency of cough, dyspnea, rhinorrhea, wheezing and respiratory distress was recorded, with a higher frequency of symptoms observed especially at 8 days of hospitalization. Among the risk factors determining child health and severity of the condition, malnutrition, social risk and incomplete immunization were found more frequently. Conclusion: It was possible to characterize the population clinically and epidemiologically and through these results it is concluded that it would be important to carry out government programs for the dissemination of information for child health care among indigenous communities.