Knowledge, attitudes and practice of parents regarding Fever in children and its management at home

Abstract

Fever may be a sign of both infectious and non-infectious disorders, occurs commonly in children and makes their parents unduly worried and panic as they perceived it a danger ailment. There are numerous myths and fallacy among parents related to fever management in children Objectives Study aimed to identify the parent’s knowledge regarding childhood fever and understanding of belief and attitude in the management of fever. Methods: A descriptive hospital based cross sectional study carried out among parents whose children under age 6 years were admitted to pediatric wards of a public sector teaching hospital in Peshawar with different medical conditions. Results: More than (93%) person were wrong about normal body temperature. About (37%) don’t know about causes of fever where (90%) parents detect fever through tactile method, about (57%) parents don’t know about appropriate body part for placing thermometer to record accurate temperature and large number of parents (40%) visit chemist for treatment after detecting fever in their kids, about (37%) brought their children to hospitals and only (13%) of total treat their children for fever at home Conclusion: Parent’s knowledge about fever and its home management was found poor in the study. Need is there to educate parents about proper assessment, detecting, recording of fever and safe practicing of fever management at home.