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Maternal knowledge, attitude and practices regarding childhood acute respiratory infections in Kumasi, Ghana.
Ann Trop Paediatr. 1994; 14(4):293-301.AT

Abstract

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are a major cause of paediatric mortality and morbidity, particularly when associated with delays in treatment. A study of mothers' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding ARI in their children aged less than 5 years was conducted in an urban Ghanaian population. One hundred and forty-three women traders were interviewed in open air markers in Kumasi, Ghana. Based on Western standards, there was a poor maternal understanding of the aetiology of ARI. A variety of herbal and home care therapies, including some which have potentially harmful effects, were routinely employed for the prophylaxis and treatment of ARI. For example, castor oil and enemas (25.9%) were reported as agents to prevent ARI, and antibiotics were prescribed by the parents in 39.9% for treating coughs. While the mothers exhibited an understanding of symptoms which differentiate between mild and severe ARI, a substantial number indicated that they would delay accessing a health care facility in the presence of the following symptoms which signify severe respiratory distress: dyspnoea (11.2%); tachypnoea (18.9%); chest retraction (21.7%); cough, fever and anorexia (30.0%); and cough, fever and lethargy (57.3%). These findings support the need for an ARI health education programme in Ghana.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Denno DM
Department of Paediatrics, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02903.
Bentsi-Enchill A
No affiliation info available
Mock CN
No affiliation info available
Adelson JW
No affiliation info available

MeSH

Acute DiseaseChild, PreschoolCross-Sectional StudiesGhanaHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHealth ServicesHome NursingHumansInfantInfant, NewbornMothersRespiratory Tract InfectionsSurveys and QuestionnairesUrban Health

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

7880091

Citation

Denno, D M., et al. "Maternal Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Childhood Acute Respiratory Infections in Kumasi, Ghana." Annals of Tropical Paediatrics, vol. 14, no. 4, 1994, pp. 293-301.
Denno DM, Bentsi-Enchill A, Mock CN, et al. Maternal knowledge, attitude and practices regarding childhood acute respiratory infections in Kumasi, Ghana. Ann Trop Paediatr. 1994;14(4):293-301.
Denno, D. M., Bentsi-Enchill, A., Mock, C. N., & Adelson, J. W. (1994). Maternal knowledge, attitude and practices regarding childhood acute respiratory infections in Kumasi, Ghana. Annals of Tropical Paediatrics, 14(4), 293-301.
Denno DM, et al. Maternal Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Childhood Acute Respiratory Infections in Kumasi, Ghana. Ann Trop Paediatr. 1994;14(4):293-301. PubMed PMID: 7880091.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Maternal knowledge, attitude and practices regarding childhood acute respiratory infections in Kumasi, Ghana. AU - Denno,D M, AU - Bentsi-Enchill,A, AU - Mock,C N, AU - Adelson,J W, PY - 1994/1/1/pubmed PY - 1994/1/1/medline PY - 1994/1/1/entrez KW - Africa KW - Africa South Of The Sahara KW - Age Factors KW - Attitude KW - Behavior KW - Child KW - Demographic Factors KW - Developing Countries KW - Diseases KW - Education KW - English Speaking Africa KW - Family And Household KW - Family Characteristics KW - Family Relationships KW - Ghana KW - Health Education KW - Infections KW - Kap Surveys KW - Knowledge KW - Mothers KW - Parents KW - Population KW - Population Characteristics KW - Psychological Factors KW - Research Methodology KW - Research Report KW - Respiratory Infections--etiology KW - Respiratory Infections--prevention and control KW - Sampling Studies KW - Signs And Symptoms KW - Studies KW - Surveys KW - Treatment KW - Western Africa KW - Youth SP - 293 EP - 301 JF - Annals of tropical paediatrics JO - Ann Trop Paediatr VL - 14 IS - 4 N2 - Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are a major cause of paediatric mortality and morbidity, particularly when associated with delays in treatment. A study of mothers' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding ARI in their children aged less than 5 years was conducted in an urban Ghanaian population. One hundred and forty-three women traders were interviewed in open air markers in Kumasi, Ghana. Based on Western standards, there was a poor maternal understanding of the aetiology of ARI. A variety of herbal and home care therapies, including some which have potentially harmful effects, were routinely employed for the prophylaxis and treatment of ARI. For example, castor oil and enemas (25.9%) were reported as agents to prevent ARI, and antibiotics were prescribed by the parents in 39.9% for treating coughs. While the mothers exhibited an understanding of symptoms which differentiate between mild and severe ARI, a substantial number indicated that they would delay accessing a health care facility in the presence of the following symptoms which signify severe respiratory distress: dyspnoea (11.2%); tachypnoea (18.9%); chest retraction (21.7%); cough, fever and anorexia (30.0%); and cough, fever and lethargy (57.3%). These findings support the need for an ARI health education programme in Ghana. SN - 0272-4936 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/7880091/Maternal_knowledge_attitude_and_practices_regarding_childhood_acute_respiratory_infections_in_Kumasi_Ghana_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -