RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is among the top causes of morbidity and mortality among the under-fives worldwide. AIMS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess health-seeking behaviour and first medical management of pneumonia among children aged under 5 years in Alexandria, Egypt from the mothers' perspectives. METHODS: Using a pre-designed questionnaire, we interviewed 507 mothers of pneumonic children aged under 5 years who had been admitted at 4 governmental children's hospitals. The study was conducted during August-November 2017. RESULTS: We found that 57.2% of children received home treatment before seeking medical advice. Around 26% of mothers waited ≥ 2 days before seeking medical advice; insufficient knowledge about the disease was their main contention (89%). Factors significantly associated with the delay were: rural residence (P = 0.006); low income (P = 0.002); home treatment given before seeking medical advice (P < 0.001) and previous episodes of pneumonia (P = 0.002). Diagnosis of pneumonia had not been made by more than half of the first consulted sources (52.7%). CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need to improve mothers' knowledge and train physicians for appropriate management of pneumonia in children under 5 years.
