An Exploratory Study on home remedies used by the mothers of under five children in the Management of Upper Respiratory tract Infection in selected rural areas of Haldwani and their relevance in Ayurvedic System of Medicine

Introduction: Upper respiratory tract infections in under-five children are one of the main public health problems in India. The researcher felt that the study on home remedies used by the mothers of under five children in the management of Upper respiratory tract infections and their relevance in Ayurvedic system of medicine would provide baseline data to improve the health practices of mother of under five children and quality of life among under five children. Hence the present study, proposes to explore the home remedies being used by the mothers as first hand remedy to protect the children from upper respiratory tract infections. Therefore, it is essential to identify the home remedies being used and whether these remedies have passed on by local tradition. Methodology: To achieve the objectives of the study quantitative research approach was used. The researcher adopted exploratory research design for the present study. The sampling technique adopted for the study was non probability purposive sampling technique with sample size of 75 mothers of under five children. The instruments, used for data collection, were developed in three sections, such as; Section I- Demographic variables, Section II- Semi-structured questionnaire on home remedies and Section III- structured checklist on reason for resorting to home remedies. Major findings of the study: Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Most of the children, 49.3% (37) were suffering from upper respiratory tract infections. Maximum mothers, 90.6 % (68) got information about the use of home remedies from their family members and majority of the mothers, 70.6% (53) were home maker, who were using home remedies for the management of upper respiratory tract infection in their children. Maximum mothers, 36% (27) mentioned that they were using zinger+ honey+ black piper in their child while 28% (21) mothers were using milk with turmeric powder for their child. Maximum mothers, 32% (24) informed that their child was having running nose and watery eyes during upper respiratory tract infection while 22.6% (17) mothers mentioned that their child was having throat pain/irritation. Most of the mothers, 28% (21) noticed their child lethargic. Most of the mothers, 78% (58) noticed improvement in their child as they started administration of home remedy/remedies while 22% (17) mothers did not. Most of the 29% (22) mothers mentioned that the recovery from the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection took four days and same number of mothers mentioned six days. Most of the mothers, 42% (31) were using home remedy quarter times in a day and 38.6% (29) mothers were using home remedy thrice in a day. Majority of the mothers, 65.4% (49) observed positive effects and 17.3% (13) mothers mentioned that they were using two systems of treatment (Allopathic and home remedies), so they were not sure for the effectiveness of used home remedy. Maximum mothers, 36% (27) mentioned the reason of resorting home remedies that they were advised by the old family members, 18.6% (14) mothers informed that home remedies are easily available at home and 18.6% (14) mothers found positive effect of home remedies during previous experience.