Association Between Household Ventilation and Acute Respiratory Infection Among Children Under Five in Nambangan Lor Village, Manguharjo Primary Health Care, Madiun, Indonesia

Abstract

Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) remains a major public health problem and one of the leading causes of morbidity among children under five, particularly in developing countries. Poor household ventilation may reduce indoor air circulation, increase the accumulation of airborne contaminants, and increase the risk of ARI. This study aimed to determine the association between household ventilation and the incidence of ARI among children under five in Nambangan Lor Village, the working area of Manguharjo Primary Health Care, Madiun, Indonesia. This observational analytical study employed a case-control design involving 90 respondents, comprising 45 cases and 45 controls selected using simple random sampling. Household ventilation was assessed through direct observation and measurement based on the Indonesian Ministry of Health standards. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, and the strength of the association was measured using the Odds Ratio (OR). The results showed a statistically significant association between household ventilation and the incidence of ARI (p < 0.001). Children living in houses with inadequate ventilation were 6.059 times more likely to develop ARI than those living in adequately ventilated houses (OR = 6.059). In conclusion, household ventilation was significantly associated with ARI among children under five. Improving household ventilation according to healthy housing standards should be promoted as an important environmental health strategy to reduce the incidence of ARI.