Determinants of Community-Acquired Pneumonia Among Adults Patients Attending Debre Berhan University Hakim Gizaw Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia: A Case–Control Study

Abstract

Background

Community-acquired pneumonia among adults remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in both industrialized and developing countries, including Ethiopia. Moreover, despite the availability of the best clinical standards, morbidity and mortality from community-acquired pneumonia have not improved over the last few decades. Therefore, prompt assessment and correction of modifiable risk factors are crucial to reduce morbidity and mortality. However, there are limited data on the determinants of community-acquired pneumonia among adults in the current study area.

Purpose

This study aimed to identify the determinants of community-acquired pneumonia among adult patients visiting Debre Berhan University Hospital, Ethiopia, May 2023.

Methods

A hospital-based unmatched case–control study design was conducted to select 113 cases and 113 controls using a consecutive sampling technique. Using the SPSS version 25 software bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the determinants of community-acquired pneumonia. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and p-values < 0.05 were used to assess the level of significance.

Results

In this study, recent history of common cold [AOR: 4.35, 95% CI: (2.22, 8.51)], recent history of toothache [AOR: 2.51, 95% CI: (1.18, 5.33)], and not brushing teeth regularly [AOR, 2.79; 95% CI: (1.32, 5.88)] were significantly associated with community-acquired pneumonia.

Conclusion

In this study, common cold, recent history of toothache, and lack of regular oral hygiene were significantly associated with community acquired pneumonia in adults. Therefore, health promotion of oral hygiene and the common cold is recommended to decrease the risk of pneumonia.

Keywords:

• community acquired pneumonia
• determinants
• case control
• oral hygiene

Abbreviations

AOR, Adjusted Odds Ratio; CAP, Community Acquired Pneumonia; COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder; CI, Confidence Interval; HAP, Hospital Acquired Pneumonia; HCAP, Health Care Associate Pneumonia; ICP, ICU, Intensive Care Unit; OR, Odd Ratio; PPI, Proton Pump Inhibitors; VAP, Ventilator Associate Pneumonia.

Data Sharing Statement

The original contributions presented in this study are included in the article, and further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Ethical Approval

Ethical approval was obtained with IRB Protocol number, IRB-113 from the Ethical Clearance Review Board of the Asrat Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University. The approval was in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration guidelines and regulations. Additionally, permission was obtained from the hospital. Written informed consent was obtained from all study participants after they were informed about the purpose of the study. All necessary data were collected and registered based on the unique codes of the study participants and names were not taken throughout the study. Hence, all the information was kept confidential.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Debre Berhan University Hospital, supervisor, data collectors, and study participants.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis, interpretation, drafting, revising, and critically reviewing the article. All authors gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work. All authors read and approved the final manuscript and approved its submission for publication in Dove Medical Press.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.