Objective:

To determine the relationship between knowledge, caregiver practice of children under 5 years of age and factors of poor prognosis of acute respiratory infections.

Materials and methods:

Descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study, formed by the external consultation in April-May 2017 period, selected in a systematic random probabilistic sampling to which an instrument that assesses the knowledge and practice of the caregiver in children was applied. Children under 5 years old with acute respiratory infections.

Results:

Caregivers with 56.4% (n = 173) knowledge and without 43.6% (n = 134) knowledge. They performed 30% (n = 92) good practices and 70% (n = 215) incorrect. The most frequent inadequate practices were not to perform 62.87% (n = 193) measures for thermal control and not to provide exclusive 40% (n = 123) breastfeeding. The most frequent deficient knowledge were not recognizing 9.2% (n = 28) accelerated breathing and fever as 25% (n = 78) warning signs. Children under 5 years old with IRAS that presented poor prognostic factors accounted for more than a third of the study 47.9% (n = 147) population.

Conclusions:

Young mothers are the main caregivers, with average schooling and occupation of the home and who are within a traditional family. In all caregivers who have knowledge about how to care for children with IRAS do not perform care practices correctly. Children in whom incorrect practices were carried out, most presented factors of poor prognosis. No association was found between factors of poor prognosis and level of knowledge and practice.