Pathogens Causing Respiratory Tract Infections in Children Less Than 5 Years of Age in Senegal

Knobbe, Rebecca B; Diallo, Abdallah; Fall, Amary; Gueye, Aida D; Dieng, Assane; van Immerzeel, Tabitha D; Ba, Abou; Diop, Amadou; Diop, Abdoulaye; Niang, Mbayame; Boye, Cheikh SB

Of 208 eligible children, 102 cases and 96 controls were analysed ( Figure 1 ). Ten cases were excluded from analysis, due to an onset of disease of more than 10 days before enrolment, missing month of birth, or an age of more than 60 months. Approximately 5% of all assessed controls declined to participate in the study, mainly based on fear of discomfort for their child or possible disapproval of the other parent. None of the cases declined. Overall, 96 (48.5%) children were male, and the mean age was 18.0 (±12.4) months. Overall vaccination coverage was 97.7%. Table 1 shows a summary of baseline characteristics of the included cases and controls at enrolment. A significant difference of means was found in mean age among case and control group, respectively, 23.5 (±13.2) and 12.2 (±8.0) with a P value of <.001. Furthermore, cases more often lived in other areas in and outside of Dakar, whereas more controls than cases lived in the neighbourhood near the Pikine clinic, respectively, 36 (35.3%) and 63 (65.6%) with a P value of <.001.