KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF PARENTS REGARDING AIRWAY CLEARANCE OF AN INFANT

Abstract

Background: Infections of the respiratory tract of an infant are most common and a very serious complication. The rate of pulmonary infection is about 60.84 percent in developing countries. The main target of the airway clearance is to assist the individual in discharging the secretions, either it is by physical or mechanical because it reduces the rate of complications which is caused by retention of the secretions.

Objective: To determine the knowledge and attitude of parents regarding airway clearance of an infant.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was done from April 2025 to September 2025 in Karachi on Parents of one or more than one child. The sample size was 377, and the non-probability convenience sampling was used. Data was evaluated through a self-administered questionnaire, and analysis of data was done through SPSS version 23.0. 

Result: A total of 377 research participants were included in this study. The results showed that the knowledge of airway clearance was limited to around 257 (68.16%) respondents replying no. About 163 (43.23%) research participants used medicines for their child's treatment. About 214 (56.76%) research participants were used to treat their child through physical therapy treatment.

Conclusion: The knowledge of airway clearance was limited among the parents of infants, while most of the parents used physical therapy treatment for airway clearance in the hospitals.