Knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers regarding acute respiratory infection (ARI) in urban and rural communities of Ahmedabad District, Gujarat.

ABSTRACT

Background: Acute respiratory tract infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing and also developed countries. About 13 Million under 5 children dies every year in the world, 95% of them in developing countries, one third of total deaths are due to acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) 1. Objective: To assess the knowledge of mothers regarding acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) in urban and rural communities of Ahmadabad district. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was covering 500 mothers living in urban (five zone) and rural (five primary health centre (PHC) of sanand taluka) area of Ahmedabad district from September 2008 to March 2009. Results: Questionnaire regarding knowledge revealed that 35.2% of mothers preferred private set up as a place of choice for treatment (more in urban area 58.4%). 71.4% of mothers preferred allopathy as a choice of type of treatment. 40.8% of mothers rated diseases as serious (more in urban area 54.4%). 50.8% mothers were illiterate (70% in rural area) and 70.4% mothers were housewives. Conclusion: The study strongly towards the low utilization of basic health services in government set up, lack of mother’s education especially in prevention and control of ARI.Health education can change health care seeking behaviors and attitude of parents and other family members to take care of the ARI child during illness.