TITLE:
Mortality Rate and Its Risk Factors among Children under 5 Years Admitted at University Teaching Hospital of Butare
AUTHORS:
Muhayimana Daniel, Rebecca Kavira Kasine, Niyigena Rose, Nyirabazungu Eugenie, Niragire Leonie, Uwineza Didi Victoire, Twizeyimana Calmeline, Nyiramana Virginie, Murekatete Winifride, Umutesi Josiane
KEYWORDS:
Pneumonia, Mortality Rate, Risk Factors
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nursing,
Vol.16 No.10,
October
27,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid or pus. Pneumonia is a common and life-threatening condition that affects the lower airways; its severity is marked by a high mortality rate (1/1000 of affected patients). Recent studies have shown that pneumonia caused 740,180 deaths in children younger than 5 years of age worldwide in 2019, accounting for approximately 14% of under-5 deaths. Therefore, there is a need to determine the mortality rate and its risk factors among children with pneumonia at the University Teaching Hospital of Butare. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of children’s files with pneumonia admitted from July 2020 to June 2024 was conducted, using a predetermined data collection form. Descriptive statistics were used to show frequency distribution for categorical variables. Chi-square and multivariate analysis were used to determine the independent factors associated with mortality while simultaneously controlling for potential confounders. A P-value of Results: The present study enrolled 206 children with pneumonia and found that 51.9% and 67.5% of participants were aged less than one year and female, respectively. The result showed that the mortality rate among the children with pneumonia was 13.1%. Multivariate analysis showed that the under five children who experienced cyanosis (AOR = 8.11, 95% CI [1.00 - 10.30]) P Conclusion: The hospital mortality rate was 13.1%, with mortality associated with cyanosis, CXR consolidation, and hyperleukocytosis on admission.