Abstract

Parita Shrestha*, Sushmita Shrestha and Alisha Joshi

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT Background: Acute Respiratory Infections has become a major killer disease worldwide under 5 years of age children. It is continuing to be the leading cause of acute illnesses worldwide and remains the most important cause of under five children morbidity and mortality in developing countries like Nepal. The study was carried out with the aim to find out the awareness regarding Acute Respiratory Infections among the mothers of under five children of Kalika Municipality, Chitwan. Methods: A descriptive, cross sectional research design was used to find out the level of awareness regarding acute respiratory tract infections among the mothers of under five children at Kalika Municipality-5, Chitwan. A total of 118 mothers of under five children were selected by using non-probability, purposive sampling technique. Structured face to face interview schedule was used for data collection from dated Dec 14th 2020 to Jan 10th 2021 and data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Results: More than half of the respondents (56.8 %) were above and equal to 25 years of age and most of them (94.1%) follow hindu religion whereas only 59.3% of respondents’ had completed secondary level education, while more than two third (75.4%) were homemaker. The study also found that only 35.6% of the respondents had adequate level of awareness regarding acute respiratory infections and there was no association between the level of awareness and demographic variables. This finding of the study creates a need to aware the mothers about acute respiratory infection through awareness program.