Prevention of Respiratory Infections Among Children Under 3 Years of Age Attending Daycare Centres (PRICAD)

The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of Primary and Secondary Prevention of Respiratory Infections in children up to 3 years-old attending daycare.

Randomized controlled clinical trial including children up-to 3 years-old who attend daycare centres in O Porto. To evaluate the Primary Prevention of Respiratory infections it was created and ministered to children's caregivers an education health session, regarding the prevention of respiratory infections of children, according to caregivers needs. It is known that parental perceptions influence their behaviour in respect to the care of their unwell child. Sometimes misunderstandings occurred because parents' expressions of concern or requests for additional information were sometimes perceived as a challenge to the clinicians' diagnosis or treatment decision, which leads to unnecessary and unwanted prescribing of antibiotics. Health professionals should provide consistent information that promotes parental self-efficacy in the care of their unwell child. To evaluate the Secondary Prevention of Respiratory Infections it was applied to children with signs of upper respiratory infections (rhinorrhea, cough and nasal obstruction) a nasal clearance protocol, developed by Guy Postiaux. This protocol consists on the application of physiological serum in the nostrils of the child, followed by forced nasal inspiration. The protocol is applied for 3 consecutive days, according to established criteria suggested by Postiaux. This intervention is indicated on Upper Respiratory Infections, such as rhinitis or rhinopharyngitis, with large amount of secretions in the upper airway and it is an effective adjuvant for medication. Forced nasal inspiration is able to create sufficient gas velocity to act on the pressure of the middle ear, through the eustachian tube, and may have an important role in the prevention of otitis.

upper respiratory tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections, health promotion, respiratory physiotherapy, infant

Children whose caregivers were subjected to health education session and who were subjected to respiratory physiotherapy protocol

Children who were not subjected to respiratory physiotherapy protocol for nasal clearance and whose parents were not subjected to health education session

It was created an education health session regarding the prevention of respiratory infections of children, according to caregivers needs. This session have a theoretical component, addressing especially modifiable risk factors of respiratory infections in children, and a practical component where caregivers can learn and practice nasal clearance techniques, demonstrated by the physiotherapist.

Nasal clearance protocol consists on the application of physiological serum in the nostrils of the child, followed by the stimulation of nasal inspiration in order to remove mucus from the nose and nasopharynx. The protocol is applied for 3 consecutive days, according to established criteria suggested by Postiaux.

Children proceeded to their normal activities at the daycare; Caregivers did not attend to education health session.

health status of the child was reported by caregivers concerning the number of episodes of respiratory infections and/or otitis.

Paediatric Respiratory Severity Score (PRSS) adapted for the Portuguese culture (Cronbach's alpha = 0.80 and ICC 2,1 = 0.91) was used to assess the child's respiratory clinical parameters, such as dyspnea, breathing sounds, adventitious sounds, daily expectoration, cough, nutrition, fever and rhinorrhea.

Pressure, compliance and tympanogram of the middle ear were assessed by tympanometry, performed by an audiologist (Hand Held Impedance Audiometer MT10 (Interacoustics1 USA) calibrated on November 22, 2010, according to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements, with a 226 Hz probe tone)

Pressure, compliance and tympanogram of the middle ear were assessed by tympanometry, performed by an audiologist (Hand Held Impedance Audiometer MT10 (Interacoustics1 USA) calibrated on November 22, 2010, according to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements, with a 226 Hz probe tone)

Portuguese Version of the Self-rating Zung's Anxiety Scale (r=0,782; ICC=0,95) was applied to caregivers

Written evaluation form was applied to caregivers in order to assess their knowledge about respiratory infections, designed by an expert panel.

Inclusion Criteria: Children of both genders up to 3 years, born at term, pregnancy without complications, attending day care, residents in OPorto, with medical approval for intervention Exclusion Criteria: Children born prematurely, with lower respiratory infections, with chronic neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiac or respiratory disorders

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