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Background: Mortality and morbidity indicators represent the traditional measures of health status of community. These indicators continue to be used as the starting point in health status evaluation. The knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers play an important role in the reduction of morbidity in under 5 children. Socio economic conditions have long been known to influence human health.

Objectives: To evaluate the health seeking behavior of mothers, regarding ARI in under five children and to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers regarding ARI.

Methodology: It is a cross sectional study conducted from Nov 2008 to March 2009 at Civil Hospital Mithi of Tharparkar Desert. 1000 mothers were selected by convenience sampling and interviews were conducted. Data was entered and analyzed on SPSS 10.

Results: The duration of illness was less than 2 days in 3% and more than 2 days in 97% of children. 11% children are less than 1 year age, 31% between 1 year and 3 years age and 58% between the age of 3 to 5 years. 72% mothers had knowledge about ARI and could recognize it but 28% had no knowledge about ARI. 56% mothers took ARI as a serious disease while 44% did not. 76% mothers said that breast feeding should be continued during illness, while 24% said routine feeding should not be continued during ARI.

Conclusion: Knowledge of less educated mothers of children with ARI is low. Interventions like health education sessions, media campaign, lady health workers (LHW), banners and NGOs etc. are needed to improve situation.