Browsing by Author "Massawe, Higgins B. P."

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Performance of primary health care workers and the knowledge and practice of mothers/caretakers in the management of children with acute respiratory infections in Dar es Salaam.
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2000) Massawe, Higgins B. P.
    Acute respiratory infections (AIR) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children in developing countries. This is reflected in the global burden of diseases in children, which shows that out of the 12 million deaths which occur in children less than 5 years of age in developing countries, 30% are caused by ARI. Studies have also demonstrated that correct case management of ARI by primary health care workers can significantly reduce ARI associated morbidity and mortality in children. Therefore, health care workers should be able to assess, classify and treat children with ARI appropriately according to Standard World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on case management of ARI. For effective control of ARI, the families should also be able to recognize the symptoms and signs of illness and seek early medical care in the course of the disease. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was undertaken in a primary health care setting in Dar es Salaam region, which documented the clinical performance of the health workers and at the same time looked into the knowledge and practice of mothers/caretakers in relation to the case management of ARI. Objectives of the study 1. To determine the level of performance of primary health care workers in the assessment , classification and treatment of ARI in children basing on WHO standard case management guidelines. 2. To determine the proportion of primary health care workers who correctly counseled mothers/caretakers on home care of children with ARI. 3. To determine the knowledge and practice of mothers/caretakers regarding management of ARI in their children.