Knowledge and practices of physicians and nurses about acute respiratory infection in children

In order to detect problems in the management of acute respiratory infection in children and to optimize training, a survey was undertaken in 1993 including 9 pediatricians, 27 general practitioners, and 58 nurses in Bujumbura, Burundi. A questionnaire including 15 main items was used. Findings showed a poor understanding of risk factors in 62% of the population, especially among general practitioners and nurses. Clinically 79% were able to make a proper diagnosis of pneumonia. Overtreatment of coryza using antimicrobial, mucolytic, and cough drugs was suspected in 88.8%. Findings were similar with regard to management of pneumonia. Wheezing was treated in accordance with WHO recommendations in only 18% of cases. For acute respiratory infection, 53.6% used penicillin A, 18% used penicillin G, 15.9% used cotrimoxazole and 2.9% used macrolides. The duration of antimicrobial therapy was unnecessarily long for 49.4%. While 70.5% of the population (100% of pediatricians) considered the state of their knowledge and practices to be sufficient, 93.6% (55.6% of pediatricians) indicated that specific training in this field would be useful. This survey suggests that training is needed for health care workers at all levels specifically in the management and prevention of acute respiratory infection in children.