Mothers’ knowledge regarding massage therapy for children with lower respiratory tract infections at pediatric hospitals in Baghdad City

A descriptive study design was carried out in the pediatric hospitals in Baghdad City. The study is related to mothers’ knowledge of massage therapy for children with lower respiratory tract infections in pediatric hospitals in Baghdad City from March 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023.The aim of the study was to identify mothers of children with lower respiratory tract infections, who received massage therapy to reduce these infections in pediatric hospitals in Baghdad City. A non-probability (purposive) sample of 100 mothers was selected from medical wards in pediatric hospitals in Baghdad City. The results of the study revealed that in the quarter of mothers’ age in the sample, more than half of the mothers in the sample (52%) were in the age group between 20 and 29 years, 41% of them were government employees, and 84% of them were from urban areas. As for the educational level of the mothers, 27% of them were college and university graduates. As for the degree of kinship between the mother and her spouse, 52% of them were first-degree kinship. Furthermore, the results show that 45% of mothers had three or more children whose age at first birth was between 25 and 29 years. The results reveal a significant association between mothers’ knowledge and their educational level. However, no significant association was found between mothers’ knowledge in terms of their occupation and their place of residence. The study recommended the existence of an education and training program for mothers regarding children with lower chest infections. It focused on the care of children with lower chest infections and on improving the education level of mothers through media and booklets for children with respiratory tract infections, especially lower chest infections.