Patterns of management of acute respiratory infections among under-five children at primary health care centers in three provinces in Iraq

ABSTRACT

Acute respiratory infections [ARIs] are major causes for morbidity and mortality among under five children particularly in developing countries. Assessing patterns of management of ARIs among under five children at primary health care [PHC] centers as practiced by medical and paramedical health care providers. A total of 172 medical and 53 paramedical personnel working in PHC centers in three Iraqi governorates were observed using a pre-coded, pre-tested checklist. Recognition of both serious signs and symptoms and other signs and symptoms of ARI were significantly higher among medical than paramedical personnel [P<0.05]. Antibiotics were prescribed for 74.5% of patients by paramedical personnel compared with 54.1% of patients by medical personnel [P<0.05]. Trained health care providers [medical and paramedical] were significantly more capable in identifying danger signs and symptoms of ARIs compared with the untrained care providers. Medical and trained health care providers were managing ARIs conditions among under five children more efficiently than para-medical and non-trained care providers