Socio-epidemiological characteristics of children under 5 years of age with prevalent childhood illnesses treated at the centro de Salud Namora – Cajamarca

Abstract

This research aimed to describe the socioepidemiological characteristics of children under five years old with prevalent childhood diseases at the Namora Health Center in Cajamarca, Peru, using a sample of 189 records from the first quarter of 2021. The results revealed that 51.32% were female, 53.97% were under 1 year old, 55.56% came from urban areas, and 100% were affiliated with the Comprehensive Health System of the Ministry of Health. Additionally, 32.8% of the children were between 29 days and 11 months old, and 18.52% received all growth and development checks according to their age. Regarding prevalent diseases, it was found that 66.67% of children under 1 year old suffered from acute malnutrition, while 44.74% of 1-year-old children had chronic malnutrition. 83.78% experienced acute respiratory infections such as common cold, viral pharyngitis, and bronchitis, and 39.52% of children under 1 year old and 37.10% of 1-year-old children showed childhood anemia. In conclusion, the majority of analyzed children under five years old presented acute respiratory infections and anemia.