Prevalencia de infecciones respiratorias agudas en adultos jóvenes de 18 a 40 años atendidos por emergencia, en un hospital de Durán, 2024

Abstract

Introduction: Acute respiratory infections represent a frequent health problem, especially in young adults, due to their exposure in urban and work environments. These pathologies affect the upper and lower respiratory tract, increasing the demand for emergency services. The general objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of acute respiratory infections in young adults aged 18 to 40 years treated in the emergency department of a hospital in Durán during the year 2024. As a methodology, a quantitative, descriptive, retrospective, and cross-sectional census-type study was carried out with a total population of 723 patients treated for ARI during the period. The results showed that 62.24% of the patients were women and 42.4% were between 18 and 25 years old, and 99% came from the coastal region. The most common acute respiratory infections were tonsillitis (45.78%), rhinopharyngitis (13.69%), pharyngitis (9.54%), and other respiratory infections (24.48%). The mixed-race population predominated. It is concluded that acute respiratory infections are highly prevalent among young adults treated in emergency departments. This highlights the importance of implementing preventive strategies such as health education, early diagnosis, and timely management to reduce complications and improve hospital efficiency