Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Acute Respiratory Infections among Urban and Rural Mothers of Under-Five Children in North India

Background: Due to inadequate knowledge and faulty cultural practices regarding ARI, many mothers could not differentiate AURI from ARLI, which delays treatment.Delayed recognition and help-seeking by the family an important factors in the high mortality associated with pneumonia.Methods: 250 mothers of children under five years of age, having acute respiratory tract infection who visited in OPD were included in the study.Mothers were questioned about various symptoms of ARI, whether they can differentiate between AURI and ALRI depending upon symptomatology.Those mothers who could not differentiate (designated as group B) were questioned about various symptoms of ARI.The perception of that mother who could differentiate between AURI and ALRI (designated as group A) was noted.Results: From 250 children coming in OPD 60% suffered from AURI, while 40% suffered from ALRI.The ability to distinguish between AURI and ALRI is more common in urban mothers.Knowledge regarding symptoms of AURI (fever, cough, cold, ear discharge and vomiting) was more in urban mothers as compared to rural counterparts.Treatment from the medical personnel was more commonly found in urban mothers than in rural mothers.Prevalence of self-medication was seen at 15.6%.Conclusion: Mothers play an important role in preventing and managing ARI's through correct knowledge and cultural practices.Adopting good practices by the mother has a direct effect on the health and well-being of her child.