Abstract:
Background: Poor air quality of the household is likely to be the largest public health concern in resourceconstrained countries. Exposure to household air pollution, poor working environment, and fuel type used at
household level have been associated with respiratory symptoms. This study aimed to assess acute respiratory
symptoms and its associated factors among mothers who have under five-years-old children in Gondar city,
northwest Ethiopia.
Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out from February 15, 2019 to June 20, 2019. Study participants were
selected using simple random sampling, and data were collected via face-to-face interviews. Binary logistic
regression analysis was used to test the association of explanatory and outcome variables. Variables with p < 0.05
were considered as significantly associated with the outcome variable.
Results: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms among mothers of under-five years-old children in this study was
46.1%. Education (vocational training compared to cannot read and write) (adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 0.26 at 95%
confidence interval (CI): 0.08–0.82), working in dusty environment (AOR = 2.90 at 95% CI: 1.39–6.08), wood fire use
(AOR = 0.37 at 95% CI: 0.16–0.85), living in mud- and wood-walled houses (AOR = 0.53 at CI: 0.32–0.89), recent
house painting (AOR = 1.95 at 95% CI: 1.03–3.69), new carpet (AOR = 2.02 at 95% CI: 1.08–3.77), pesticide use
(AOR = 1.71 at 95% CI: 1.03–2.84), damp stain (AOR = 2.45 at 95% CI: 1.04–5.75), spending longer time in house for 6
to 11 h (AOR = 2.59 at 95% CI: 1.53–4.37) and 11 to 15 h (AOR = 3.47 at 95% CI: 1.87–6.43), and living less than 100
m from unpaved roads/streets (AOR = 4.35 at 95% CI: 2.64–7.18) were significantly associated with respiratory
symptoms among mothers of under-five years-old children.
Conclusion: Respiratory symptoms were common among mothers who have under five-years-old children. Air
quality improvement, fuel selection, and residential planning will help to reduce respiratory symptoms.
Keywords: Children, Mothers, Household air pollution, Respiratory symptoms, Ethiop
