Mothers’ Performance Regarding Homecare Management of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection among Under 5 Years Children

Background and objectives: Upper respiratory tract infections are regarded as the most predominant and significant health concern and reason for pediatric visits to the emergency department and outpatient clinics. Upper respiratory tract infections are responsible for epidemics that facilitate the transmission of disease. The present study aimed to assess the mother’s performance regarding home care management of upper respiratory tract infections in children under five years of age. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted at Raparin Teaching Hospital for Children in Erbil City, Kurdistan Region/Iraq. A non-probability convenience sampling technique of 213 mothers was chosen who were admitted to the hospital with their patient child. A questionnaire format developed by the researchers for data collection included three parts: socio-demographic characteristics of the mother, biographic information of the child, and the mothers’ performance regarding home care management of upper respiratory tract infection. Mothers with their children who were infected with upper respiratory tract infections and who were willing to participate in the study were included. Children with other complications such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other infections were excluded. The data was processed and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 27. Results: The study found that most of the mothers aged between 25-38 years were married, lived in urban areas, around half had middle socioeconomic status, almost all mothers were housewives, and around half of the children were toddlers and were bottle-fed. The study found a significant association between mothers' educational level and occupation with their performance, and there was a significant association between the age of the child, type of feeding, and body mass index with mothers’ performance. Conclusion: The study concluded that mothers' performance was significantly linked to their age, education, job, and their child's age and body mass index.