Child care practices of mothers: implications for intervention in acute respiratory infections.

An epidemiological study of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in an urban community showed poor utilization of available health services. This prompted us to undertake this study to identify determinants of child care practices of mothers through a focus group discussion and survey of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers. The results will form the basis of appropriate health education strategy geared towards control of ARI. They showed that, generally, the mothers were unable to recognize a severe infection. Poor diagnostic ability compounded by a limited knowledge of the appropriate management of varying types or degrees of ARI resulted in inappropriate action. Consequently, there was a high rate of self-medication and a low rate of health service utilization. In addition, there was low compliance with childhood immunizations. With these limitations in the mother's knowledge and practices, an education programme utilizing an informative print material was devised to upgrade the mother's ability to recognize signs of ARI and to improve her management of the condition.