Original Articles
Knowledge, attitude and practice of parents and caregiver in the management of childhood fever: An observational study | |
Shweta Aswal, Neetu Gautam, Shivani Bansal, Ravish Kumar, Preeti Lata Rai | |
Background: Fever is a common symptom in kids, accounting for around 65% to 70% of all paediatric consultations. Fever is a self-limiting condition that induces discomfort in parents and results in distress and anxiety for them. Objective: to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of parents and caregivers regarding the management of childhood fever. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics at Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly, U.P., following approval from the Board of Studies and the Ethical Committee. The study spanned a period from 1st August 2023 to 31st July 2024 and included a sample size of 144 participants. Result: Mothers predominantly managed childhood fever (83%). Most participants had secondary education. Homemakers were the largest group (40%), followed by government employees (30%). Most participants (83%) consulted qualified doctors for fever management. The underarm was the most preferred site (35%), followed by the mouth (21%). Digital thermometers were favored (56%), with 28% using glass-in-mercury thermometers. Cold water sponging was the most common method (42%), followed by lukewarm sponging (28%) and ice packs (21%). Dosage was primarily determined by pediatricians (42%). Most (56%) perceived high doses as hazardous, while 28% viewed them as effective, and 16% considered them effective but not dangerous. Specific dosimeters were the most used (63%), with 21% using teaspoons/tablespoons and 16% using other dosimeters. Conclusion: While the majority of caregivers—primarily mothers—possessed basic awareness about fever and its management, significant gaps persisted in knowledge, practices, and attitudes. |
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