Abstract
One hundred and six mothers in a rural area were interviewed to determine as to how they recognise pneumonia in children, what therapies they practice with mild acute respiratory illnesses and pneumonias and the feeding practices they adopt. Most mothers recognised pneumonia by noticing fast respiratory rate and difficulty in breathing. More severe cases were recognised by these signs among a higher percentage of mothers. As regards management of mild ARI episodes, more than half the mothers preferred not to give any treatment or use only home remedies. In pneumonias, a majority of them preferred to consult a qualified doctor. Nearly a third of them were of the opinion that they would take the child to hospital if the disease was severe. Regarding feeding practices, most of them stated that they would continue feeding, fluids and breast feeds. Only 10% desired to stop and another 15% would decrease the amounts.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Herzu Leowski. Mortality from acute respiratory infections in children under five years of age: Global estimates.World Health Stat Q 1986; 39 : 138–144.
Office of the Registrar General, India,Survey of cause of deaths (Rural) Annual Report. 1985. Series No. 18.
Kumar V, Kumar L, Mand M et al. Child care practices in the management of acute respiratory infections.Indian Pediatr 1984; 21: 15–20.