Evaluation of mother's practice regarding their childhood acute respiratory infections

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are a major public health problem in developing countries. Health education programs can only be effective when designed to take into account the prevailing practices of the community. The aim of our study was to evaluate practice of mothers towards ARI in their children. In this cross-sectional study, 255 mothers referred to health center of Saheb al zaman in Tehran were studied. The data were collected by a research-made questionnaire. After scoring the questions, the practice score of mothers was determined. Of 229 mothers who had children with ARI, 53 mothers (23.14%) did not perform certain actions before visit a doctor. The most common measure taken by mothers to children at risk of ARI was using the syrup and cold tablets (22.1%) and only about 5% of them used antibiotics for their kids. Most mothers (51.96%) had done these measures based on their personal experiences. 141 mothers (61.57%) had taken her child to the doctor. 92 (40.2%) children were suffering from colds were under breastfeeding that 92.4% of them used the same diet after disease. The mean practice score of mothers was at good level. Also, maternal performance score was significantly correlated with the source of information taken by the mother of a child with ARI (p<0.001). This study showed that the practice score of understudy mothers toward ARI was good and access to information has an impact on their performance.