THE BURDEN OF INFLUENZA IN CHILDREN WITH ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS ATTENDING SELECTED HOSPITALS IN KENYA

INTRODUCTION:

The objective was to quantify the influenza burden in young children during different seasons of the year. There was no null hypothesis.

METHODS:

This was a cross sectional study. Influenza swabs were done on children with ILI. PCR was done for influenza viruses. Analysis was done using SPSS version 16. Descriptive statistics (mean, median, standard deviation and chi square test) were used for univariate analysis. Odds ratios were used to compare the association of several signs and symptoms with a positive influenza test.

RESULTS:

The influenza viruses A and B were isolated in 159/869(18.2%) of the children with ILI. The mean age was 25.9 months (median 21 months). Of these children 11.2% were admitted to the wards.  Prematurity and having a chronic illness was associated with increased risk of acquiring influenza (p<0.001). Children with influenza were more likely to be admitted to the ward (p< 0.005).  Among clinical signs high fever, inflamed throat and discharging ears were associated with a positive influenza swab (p<0001, p< 0.001, p< 0.001 respectively). The prevalence of influenza was 540/100,000 per year in children below five years presenting with ARI.

CONCLUSIONS:

There is a significant influenza burden in young children as confirmed by the prevalence and the morbidity. We recommend a review of the vaccination guidelines to include young children.