Exploration of the Temporal Trends, Prevalence, and Factors of Acute Respiratory Infection or Diarrhoea: A Cross‐Sectional Analysis of Three National Surveys

ABSTRACT Background and Aims Numerous interventions have been targeted to reduce the burden of acute respiratory infection (ARI) and diarrhoea in Bangladesh. Both remain the leading causes of mortality in children under 5 (U5C). We aimed to examine the temporal trends, prevalence, and factors associated with ARI and diarrhoea using three nationally representative surveys. Methods We utilised data from three nationally representative surveys in Bangladesh: the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017–2018, BDHS 2022, and the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2019. Analyses included the Cochran–Armitage test for trend, a multiple‐adjusted binomial logistic regression model, slope and relative indices of inequality (RII), and the Mantel–Haenszel test with an approximate test of homogeneity of odds ratios. A p ‐value of…