Management of acute respiratory infections in children: evaluation in Rio de Janeiro health care facilities

Cadernos de saúde pública
Antonio José Ledo Alves da Cunha

Abstract

The goal of this article was to assess quality of case management for acute respiratory infection (ARI) in children and to detect barriers to proper management. A cross-sectional approach was used with a representative sample of primary and out-patient health care facilities under the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Health Department. Physicians were observed while attending children under five years of age with ARI, and the children were then evaluated according to standard criteria, and the results compared. Physicians were interviewed and health care facilities evaluated for availability of antibiotics. We studied 29 facilities (two hospitals, 20 health centers, and seven health posts), interviewed 46 physicians, and observed 267 children. Sensitivity of the classification used to detect pneumonia was 21.8 (95% CI: 9.3-40.4), specificity was 77.3 (95% CI: 70.3-82.4), and accuracy was 70.6 (95% CI: 64.7-75.5). Antibiotics were prescribed unnecessarily for 8.9% of ARI cases. Standard antibiotics were available in all the health care facilities. We conclude that quality of ARI case management in children can be improved substantially, especially with more training and supervision and better organization of services.

References

Jan 1, 1986·The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·F W Denny, F A Loda
Sep 7, 1999·Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America·S R ArnoldE E Wang

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Aug 24, 2004·Revista brasileira de enfermagem·Denise Helena FornazariRaquel Dully Andrade

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Antifungals (ASM)

An antifungal, also known as an antimycotic medication, is a pharmaceutical fungicide or fungistatic used to treat and prevent mycosis such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis, and others. Discover the latest research on antifungals here.

Allergy & Infectious Diseases

Allergies result from the hyperreactivity of the immune system to some environmental substance and can be life-threatening. Infectious diseases are caused by organisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. They can be transmitted different ways, such as person-to-person. Here is the latest research on allergy and infectious diseases.

Antifungals

An antifungal, also known as an antimycotic medication, is a pharmaceutical fungicide or fungistatic used to treat and prevent mycosis such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis, and others. Discover the latest research on antifungals here.

Allergy & Infectious Diseases (ASM)

Allergies result from the hyperreactivity of the immune system to some environmental substance and can be life-threatening. Infectious diseases are caused by organisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. They can be transmitted different ways, such as person-to-person. Here is the latest research on allergy and infectious diseases.

Related Papers

The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease : the Official Journal of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
R L GuerraMarcus B Conde
South African Medical Journal = Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Geneeskunde
A G Wesley, W E Loening
Journal of Dentistry for Children
Priscilla Soares SallesGloria Fernanda Barbosa de Araújo Castro
Revista de saúde pública
Jozana do Rosário de Moura Caetano JdClóvis de Araújo Peres Cd
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved