Prevalence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Among Children in Dhamar Governorate, Yemen

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of respiratory illness in pediatric populations worldwide. This study aims to determine the prevalence of RSV among children under two years of age with respiratory tract infection in Dhamar Governorate and evaluate related risk factors. The study, conducted at various hospitals and centers in Dhamar Governorate, enrolled 130 children under two years of age with signs and symptoms of respiratory tract infection from January 2020 to December 2020. A pre-designed questionnaire was used to collect data on Sociodemographic information, symptoms, and risk factors such as age, sex, birth weight, breastfeeding, and presence of other medical conditions. Results showed that RSV was detected in 36.9% of the patients, with females being more affected than males. Most RSV-infected children were in their first eight months of life, and an association was found between the presence of smokers among family members, birth weight, breastfeeding, number of siblings, lung disorder, and family medical history, and RSV infection. Further analysis revealed significant associations between RSV infection and risk factors such as lung disorders and family medical history. Symptoms commonly exhibited by RSV-infected patients included cough, fever, wheezing, difficulty breathing, sore throat, runny nose, and blue lips. Environmental factors such as passive smoking, number of siblings, and family medical history of respiratory infections were identified as potential risk factors for RSV infection. Seasonal variations in RSV prevalence were also observed, with higher rates during certain months. In conclusion, the prevalence of RSV among children with respiratory tract infection in Dhamar Governorate is relatively high, with several risk factors influencing infection rates. Recommendations based on the study findings include considering RSV in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory illnesses in young children, planning prevention and control programs, and providing health education to mothers to prevent RSV transmission. Keyword: Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Children, Dhamar Governorate.