Determination of Association Between Respiratory Tract Infections with Age, Gender and Socio-economic Status

Abstract

Respiratory tract infections are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality accounting for millions of deaths worldwide. Treatment of these infections is usually based upon symptomatic relief through antibiotics. This study was designed to investigate bacterial RTI and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern determined by Kirby Bauer’s disc diffusion method. Sputum samples (n=48) were analyzed to determine the bacterial infections and relationship with age, gender and social status of patients was determined. Results of the study revealed that higher number of samples (61%) were positive for Pseudomonas spp.14 (29.16%). Other contributing bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (12.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.7%), Streptococcus spp. (12.5%), Acinetobacter spp. (14.58%), E. coli (6.25%) and some other coliforms (8.33%). Number of cases was more in adult males than females and the incidence was gradually increasing with age due to consistent habit of smoking. Socioeconomic analysis of data revealed that maximum number of patients visiting hospital for UTI belongs to rural areas followed by small cities and developed cities. It is concluded that adult males having low socioeconomic status with habit of smoking or tobacco consumption are at greater risk of UTI.