In developing countries, about of all deaths in children under five years of age are due to acute lower respiratory tract infections (pneumonia, bronchiolitis, bronchitis). In Turkey, acute respiratory tract infections are the second cause of deaths in the 0-14 months age period. In our study, we evaluated the physician approach in acute respiratory tract infections under five years of age and we aimed to determine whether the physicians use diagnosis and treatment guidelines of WHO (World Health Organization). One hundred and thirteen practitioners and 55 pediatricians from Ankara participated in this study. This study consisted of a questionnaire about the descriptive characteristics of the participants and the knowledge and attitude of physicians in diagnosis, treatment, referral/hospitalization and follow-up of children with acute respiratory tract infections aged 0-5. A knowledge score (KS) was calculated. We found two factors which affected the KS. In physicians who examined a child more than 5 minutes, KS was three fold greater than in other physicians. When children of the physician had a history of lower respiratory tract infection, a four fold increase in BS was detected. In conclusion, it is necessary to add the “WHOControl of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections Programme” in the undergraduate and postgraduate education of physicians and pediatricians.

Keywords: çocuklar, akut solunum yolu enfeksiyonları, hekim yaklaşımı, Dünya Sağlık Örgütü, children, acute respiratory tract infections, physician management, World Health Organization