Practices of mothers toward home care of acute respiratory infection of their children under five

Background: Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is an acute infection of the respiratory tract that is usually caused by viruses or bacteria. Represented one of the most common illnesses in children under five years old. Many factors affect morbidity and mortality due to ARIs, including the child’s health, socioeconomic status, and environmental conditions. Mother’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices are having an important role in influencing the morbidity and mortality caused by ARIs in children under five years of age. Aim: To assess mothers’ knowledge toward home care of acute respiratory infection of their children under five. As well as to find out the relationship between mothers’ knowledge toward home care of acute respiratory infection and sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used in the current study. This study was conducted at health institutions of the health directorate of Babylon province for the period of January 15, 2025, to March 12, 2025. The target population includes (250) mothers with their children under five who have acute respiratory infections. Data were collected through using a modified questionnaire and analyzed electronically by using SPSS version 23. Results: Results of this study revealed that (48%) of participants are in the 20-29 age group, and the overall evaluation of mothers’ knowledge toward home care of acute respiratory infection of their children under five was moderate, as well as there is a significant relationship between mothers’ knowledge and some sociodemographic characteristics factors such as mother’s age, education level, and residency area. Conclusions: The study was concluding that the overall assessment of mother’s knowledge toward home care of acute respiratory infection of their children was moderate, and recommended that health education of mothers toward home care of acute respiratory infection of their children under five in model health care centers, educational programs for nurses to expand their respiratory infection care knowledge and mass media is used to educate the public about acute respiratory infection, prevention strategies, and how to acquire knowledge for home care for of children with the disease, television, and radio, as well as lectures at various community associations or health centers, all provide information about acute respiratory infection prevention.