Prevalence and Risk Factors of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections amongst Infants in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: The study begins within the broad context of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a significant cause of respiratory tract infections globally, particularly severe among infants and young children. This research specifically focuses on RSV infections in Saudi Arabian infants, highlighting the need to understand its prevalence and risk factors in this demographic. The objectives are to identify the level of awareness about RSV amongst parents and caregivers in Saudi Arabia, to determine the association of neonatal risk factors with RSV infections and to assess the impact of exclusive breastfeeding and exposure to tobacco smoke. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed to investigate RSV infections amongst Saudi Arabian infants aged 0–12 months. The study included a sample of 2044 participants, recruited from hospitals, healthcare centres, and communities across Saudi Arabia. Data collection involved structured questionnaires, medical record reviews and nasopharyngeal swabs to confirm RSV infection status. The study variables included demographic data, clinical history and environmental exposure factors. Results: The study found that a significant majority (80.1%) of participants were not aware of RSV. Only 11.0% were aware of preventive measures against RSV infections. In terms of neonatal risk factors, premature birth, low birth weight and neonatal intensive care unit stays were significantly associated with increased susceptibility to RSV infections. Exclusive breastfeeding emerged as a protective factor, while exposure to tobacco smoke was identified as a significant risk factor. The prevalence of RSV infections in the studied population was 19.9%. Conclusion: The study concludes that there is a critical lack of awareness about RSV amongst parents and caregivers in Saudi Arabia. The findings emphasise the importance of neonatal risk factors in the susceptibility to RSV infections. The protective role of exclusive breastfeeding and the harmful impact of tobacco smoke exposure are highlighted, suggesting the need for public health interventions. These include educational campaigns to raise awareness and the implementation of preventive measures to mitigate RSV risk factors. The study underscores the necessity of further research to explore additional risk factors and the long-term impacts of RSV infections on infant health.