ABSTRACT
Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) are a major health problem for children. It has been estimated that about 20of infants born in developing countries fail to survive to their fifth birthday; and that one-fourth to one-third of child mortality is attributed to acute respiratory infections. Acute respiratory infections is one of the leading reasons for the use of health services. The constitute 30to 50of paediatric out-patient attendances and 10to 30(WHO/UNICEF; 1986) of children admissions to hospitals. Nevertheless; ARI has not been well studied locally today; especially regarding the influence of socio-cultural factors. According to the national capacity building for child survival and Development Survey; ARI has a low cumulative amount of research (Wamai; Katahoire; Barton; 1992). Objectives:The major objectives of the study were to examine the family knowledge of Acute Respiratory infections paying special attention to terminologies used and to describe signs; symptoms; causes and home therapy of acute respiratory infections. Attention was also paid to the nature of practitioners consulted; expenses incurred on children with acute respiratory infections; approaches to prevention and attitudes towards modern medical methods. Methodology: Qualitative data was collected using focus group discussions and indepth key-informant interviews. Participants in the different groups included mothers of children below five years old; elderly women; Community Health Workers (CHWs); Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs); Traditional Healers (THs) and Village Health Committee (VHC) (members). Key informants were also chosen from the same groups after the sessions. In all sessions; a topic guide was used to guide the sessions. Conclusion: The prevalence of ARI among children in the study community was hgih. It was estimated that in every ten home there is a child with an ARI episode. Commonest forms of ARI were coughs; sore throat and common colds. The community is aware of gravity of the problem of ARI with an extensive indigenous knowledge as regards ARIs in children. However; this needs to be studied in detail. Information as regards the vernacular terminologies in other parts of the country should be documented in order to have a broader spectrum of ARIs knowledge