Abstract

Acute respiratory tract infections (ARI) are the leading cause of deaths among the under-five children in sub-Saharan Africa. The irrational self-medication of childhood ARIs at households in Uganda delays access to quality healthcare. Limited studies focus on strengthening household management of ARI. This study evaluated the household management of ARI among children under five years of age with ARIs in Kampala, Uganda. This study used a descriptive cross-sectional observational design. Households in Kampala were targeted in five divisions using the world health organization (WHO) 30 cluster method of sampling between June and July, 2011. Participants were invited to respond to a standardized questionnaire. The main outcome variable was management practices of ARI in children under-five years. Data were managed using Epidata V3.1 and exported to statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) v19 for quantitative analysis. Out of the 200 households interviewed, the majority 196 (98%) reported at least one episode of ARI in the last four weeks. The common cold with cough was the most common ARI syndrome 98 (49%; p< 0.001). 93 (46.5%; p = 0.322) cases of ARI were considered to be appropriately managed. The prescribing of antibiotics 86 (43%; p < 0.001), 25 (12.5%; p< 0.001) antimalarials and dexamethasone 10 (5%; p = < 0.001) was common. The appropriate management of the ARI at households was associated with frequency of the ARI, pneumonia symptoms, level of education of caretaker and source of the medicines. The prevalence of ARI among children under five years in Kampala is high. The management of ARIs among the under-fives in Kampala is suboptimal with misuse of antibiotics, antimalarials, dexamethasone, herbal medicines and cough remedies common. There is a need for household guidelines for management of ARI and related conditions. Community based programs are urgently required to empower parents of children in management of ARIs.

Key words: Acute respiratory infections, household management, Kampala-Uganda.