Hotspots and drivers of acute respiratory infection among children in Nigeria

Background. Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is one of the leading causes of morbidity among children under five in the developing world, including Nigeria. Objective. The study's purpose is to analyse the geographical patterns, drivers and hotspots of ARI so as to provide a guide towards ARI interventions in Nigeria. Methods. Data for the study were obtained from the 2013 edition of the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) report and the Annual Abstract of Statistics in Nigeria (2012). Spatial and statistical analyses were based on the local Getis Ord statistics and stepwise regression techniques. Results. There was substantial spatial variation in ARI prevalence, and significant hotspots were detected in Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba states. The disease hotspots were attributed to one or more of the following: Boko Haram terrorism, prevailing dust-laden north-east trade winds, and frequent sandstorms in the region. Overcrowding was found to be the only significant underlying factor responsible for the observed spatial pattern (B=0.479, R-2=0.229; p<0.05). Conclusion. To combat this children's health problem, it is suggested that intervention measures including improved housing conditions and environmental sanitation should be directed at the disease hotspots.