EUNICE OKWUKWE CHIKA

Background: Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years, especially in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. Effective household management by caregivers plays a crucial role in early recognition, prompt treatment, and prevention of complications. However, inadequate knowledge, poor health-seeking behaviour, and inappropriate treatment practices remain significant challenges. Aim: To assess the household management of ARI symptoms among caregivers of under-five children in Egor Local Government Area, Benin City, and identify factors influencing management practices and treatment outcomes. Methods: A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 506 caregivers selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires adapted from standard survey tools. Information obtained included socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of ARIs, prevalence of symptoms, care-seeking behaviour, factors influencing management, and treatment outcomes. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used to determine associations, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of caregivers was 35.98 ± 11.04 years, with the majority being mothers (73.9%) and females (76.7%). Most respondents (80.2%) had heard of ARI. Knowledge of danger signs (94.3%) and prevention (74.6%) was generally good, while knowledge of symptoms (29.3%) and causes (30.3%) was poor. The prevalence of ARI in the last two weeks was 14.8%. A majority of caregivers (70.7%) sought treatment, mainly from primary health centres and government hospitals (26.4% each). However, only 35.8% sought care on the same day. Major barriers to care-seeking included cost (31.8%) and perceived non-severity of illness (27.3%). Most children (77.3%) had complete recovery, with few complications (2.7%) and low hospitalization rates (5.3%). Caregiver age (p = 0.009) and sex of the child (p = 0.037) were significantly associated with treatment outcomes. Conclusion: Although caregivers demonstrated good knowledge of ARI prevention and danger signs, significant gaps exist in knowledge of symptoms and causes. While care- seeking behaviour was relatively high, delays and inappropriate practices persist. Strengthening caregiver education, improving access to affordable healthcare, and addressing socio-economic barriers are essential to improve ARI management and reduce childhood morbidity and mortality. Keywords: Acute Respiratory Infections, caregivers, household management, under-five children, prevalence, health-seeking behaviour, treatment outcomes