Mapping the awareness levels of mothers about the danger signs of acute respiratory infections in children of the Southern States of India, its relation with treatment seeking behaviour
Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Southeast Asia stands first in number for ARI (Acute Respiratory Infections) incidence. SEAR countries together with sub-Saharan African countries account for more than 80% of all ARI incidences. In India, more than 4 lakh deaths every year are due to pneumonia accounting for 13%-16% of all deaths in the pediatric hospital admissions. Identification of severe respiratory infections from non severe forms necessitates that mothers are aware of danger signs. India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-nine states and seven union territories with 676 Districts. Identifying the districts with low levels of awareness can help in prioritizing the high risk districts. An attempt is made to analyze the available data in the field of ARI to map the high risk districts in terms of Awareness among the Mothers and see its relation to Treatment seeking behaviour in Southern States of India. Objectives: To Map the High risk districts with low awareness levels among mothers about the danger signs of ARI To study the correlation between Awareness of danger signs and Treatment seeking behaviour. Methods & Materials: Secondary data published in the District Level Household and Facility Survey -4 is analyzed. Chloropleth Mapping of High risk districts was done. Spearman's rho (ρ) is used to measure the linear correlation between variables a) Awareness of danger signs among Mothers b) Treatment seeking behaviour of Mothers and c) Utilization of Government Health Services. Results: Awareness about danger signs of ARI was better in Kerala followed by Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Mothers in Tamilnadu seek government facilities more often than those of other states for ARI management though it has most number of high risk districts. There is a Positive correlation between Awareness levels among mothers about danger signs of ARI in children and treatment seeking behaviour (ρ=0.254;p=0.008). The Utilization of Government Health Services is negatively correlated with the awareness levels (ρ=-0.344;p=0.001). Conclusion: Early diagnosis and treatment is the corner stone for controlling Under-5 mortality attributable to ARI. Kerala sets an example for the rest of the southern states by its higher awareness levels and better treatment seeking behaviour following an episode of ARI Figure 1, Figure 2.Figure 2CHLOROPLETH MAP OF SOUTHERN STATES OF INDIA SHOWING AWARENESS LEVES OF MOTHERS ABOUT DANGER SIGNS OF ARI.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)
Institution: Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences & Research
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,900
OpenAlex ID: W2314214737