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. 2019 Jul 15;14(7):e0219012.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219012. eCollection 2019.

Influenza-associated pneumonia hospitalizations in Uganda, 2013-2016

Gideon O Emukule  1 , Barbara Namagambo  2 , Nicholas Owor  2 , Barnabas Bakamutumaho  2 , John T Kayiwa  2 , Joyce Namulondo  2 , Timothy Byaruhanga  2 , Stefano Tempia  3   4 , Sandra S Chaves  1   5 , Julius J Lutwama  2
Affiliations

Influenza-associated pneumonia hospitalizations in Uganda, 2013-2016

Gideon O Emukule et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Influenza is an important contributor to acute respiratory illness, including pneumonia, and results in substantial morbidity and mortality globally. Understanding the local burden of influenza-associated severe disease can inform decisions on allocation of resources toward influenza control programs. Currently, there is no national influenza vaccination program in Uganda.

Methods: In this study, we used data on pneumonia hospitalizations that were collected and reported through the Health Management Information System (HMIS) of the Ministry of Health, Uganda, and the laboratory-confirmed influenza positivity data from severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) surveillance in three districts (Wakiso, Mbarara, and Tororo) to estimate the age-specific incidence of influenza-associated pneumonia hospitalizations from January 2013 through December 2016.

Results: The overall estimated mean annual rate of pneumonia hospitalizations in the three districts was 371 (95% confidence interval [CI] 323-434) per 100,000 persons, and was highest among children aged <5 years (1,524 [95% CI 1,286-1,849]) compared to persons aged ≥5 years (123 [95% CI 105-144]) per 100,000 persons. The estimated mean annual rate of influenza-associated pneumonia hospitalization was 34 (95% CI 23-48) per 100,000 persons (116 [95% CI 78-165] and 16 [95% CI 6-28] per 100,000 persons among children aged <5 years and those ≥5 years, respectively). Among children aged <5 years, the rate of hospitalized influenza-associated pneumonia was highest among those who were <2 years old (178 [95% CI 109-265] per 100,000 persons). Over the period of analysis, the estimated mean annual number of hospitalized influenza-associated pneumonia cases in the three districts ranged between 672 and 1,436, of which over 70% represent children aged <5 years.

Conclusions: The burden of influenza-associated pneumonia hospitalizations was substantial in Uganda, and was highest among young children aged <5 years. Influenza vaccination may be considered, especially for very young children.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Map of Uganda showing the location of the study sites.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Flow chart showing the steps for estimation.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Influenza activity and circulating subtypes in Uganda, 2013–2016.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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